Adjuvant treatment - grade 3 stage 1a

Hello HFF

I had a type of grade 3 cancer ( early stage) and for my specific type I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy (external beam) I was told brachytherapy was not necessary for me as it hadn't gone to my cervix.

There seems to be lots of different factors that they take into account when they recommend further treatment and I have noticed on here there are variations between hospitals. 

Have you a CNS that you could talk to and express your concerns, and ask for them to explain the reasons for the decision more fully? From my own experience I understand that there are different types of Grade 3. 

There is an Ask the Nurse section on here if that would be of help. 

Jane

Hi Jane

Thank you for your reply, the CNS was in meeting and agreed as I questioned it.

I will try the ask the nurse it probably is partly area we live in.  Mine was just in my womb and showed signs of going partially into my musle/wall but no lympth nodes effected.  

Thank you

Xx

Hi HFF. I was diagnosed with stage 1a grade 3 - mix serous and endometroid - cancer in late July 2022. Pre-op CT and MRI scans showed no spread. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy in early October. My surgeon confirmed at my post op follow up that the cancer, which unusually was contained in a fibroid, had not breached the wall of the uterus and there was less than 50% invasion, so my original staging and grading remained. I subsequently saw an oncologist from the Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield who recommended PDR brachytherapy to reduce the chances of the cancer returning in the vaginal/pelvic area. PDR brachytherapy involves treatment over a period of 21 hours. It was quite challenging but I managed ok. I queried whether I would also need chemotherapy but the oncologist, who is also the Director of Clinical Studies, said it would not be necessary. I am now having 3 monthly check ups with the surgeon and 6 monthly check ups with the oncologist. I have recovered well from the op and the treatment. I  suppose no case is the same and types of adjuvant treatment do appear to vary across the country. As jane2511 has suggested it may be helpful to chat it through with your CNS. Whatever you decide I wish you well with any further treatment.

Thank you Sh53, good to hear about your treatment plan too.  And advice you were given, wow 21 hrs seems intense mine is 3 visits over 8 days.  

Thank you for sharing it helps.

Xx

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/womb-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis-and-treatment/236298/radiotherapy-support-thread-inc-brachytherapy 

Hello HFF here's a link to some other members advice and experience xx

Hi HFF

Mine was similar- it is always worth asking for more information so you can make informed decisions.

My CNS had a phone line that you could leave a message on and a brief outline of what you wanted and they always called back within the day.

From what I understand there are ladies on here who have had different types of brachytherapy so it maybe a factor. I hope that you are able to talk to your CNS today and that they are able to give you the information you need and put your mind at rest.

Jane

Thank you