Demystifying Brachytherapy! Let’s share positive experiences!

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Most women who have had endometrial cancer and are are offered brachy are given outpatient appointments where the treatment lasts on average 6 minutes. A few, and it is only a few, may be offered a more intensive treatment which takes longer, and can involve an overnight stay. That is normally a treatment for cervical cancer but one or two on the group have had it for endometrial. I had the short treatment and it was a breeze. 

I was diagnosed in Nov 21, had a hysterectomy in Jan 22 and results said a “technical” stage 2 due to a few cells being found on top of the cervix. I had 25 x radio April-May and 2 x brachy just before the end of my radio treatment. I’m putting this thread up to share about how it was for me and to give others a chance to share their experiences too. My radio and brachy was “an insurance policy” - to minimise the chance of recurrence - so not absolutely necessary but wise. I was aware that recurrence of endometrial cancer is most common within the first 2 years, and that the most common site for recurrence is at the top of the vaginal vault where the cervix used to be, so I wanted to give myself the best chance with external radio to cover any stray cells that might be in my lymph nodes, and brachy to cover my ex-cervix.  

Just over half way through my radio, I was given an appointment for an in-person chat with a brachy nurse at which she explained it all, gave me a leaflet and my pack of dilators, and I had a chance to ask questions. I had had a bit of a wobble about brachy a few days before this and asked my CNS some questions - what she did was arrange for a brachy nurse to phone me that day - she did, was lovely, reassured me heaps, and it also helped because it meant I’d spoken to one of the team who I’d be seeing. A week later I had my very quick mini CT to gauge the size I am inside so that they’d know which size applicator to try. Once they’d checked, the nurse very gently inserted the small applicator with some lubricant (which I think was barely the size of a Tampax applicator - felt like it anyway) and asked me how it felt. At any time I could have said stop and they would have. Some hospitals do the first treatment at this appointment too, but at Southampton they do treatments at separate appointments from the CT one, so I was given two further appointments - one the following week and one the week after (with my two final radios in the two days after that).

I was a bit nervous on treatment day, and even though I’d driven myself to and from all my radio appointments, I asked my husband to take me to this one just in case. I needn’t have worried! I arrived for my appointment, went straight in with no waiting (unlike radio appointments), and was shown to a quiet private room that was gently not brightly lit. I got changed behind a curtain and the nurses were very kind and gentle. They explained what would happen, that there’d be music, and that even though they wouldn’t be in the room they’d be able to hear me if I needed anything and called out. The small applicator was inserted, they left the room and the music went on - two songs later (so approx 6 mins) and it was all done. I wiped myself to remove the gel, got changed and left. I was in and out in about half an hour in all. The second appointment went just as smoothly. I’d honestly rather have had brachy than radio any day. Minor side effect was that after my first treatment, my pee was a bit warm for the first 24 hours. But that was it. 

Feel free to ask me any questions at all - I’m not shy! And please do also share your own positive experiences, to help encourage those on the group who have been offered this treatment and may be feeling unsure. 

  • Hi Marmitefan

    A great idea for a thread. Thank you for sharing your experience. 

    There is some more information for ladies on here about brachytherapy. 

    Radiotherapy for womb cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

    Having Internal Radiotherapy For Womb Cancer | Cancer Research UK

    Jane

           

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • I'm waiting for a consultation post op when next steps will come up so this thread will be a great help. There's always a lot to take in at a consult so it will be good for me to know a bit more to be prepared. Thank you.

  • Hello my experience of brachytherapy was very similar to MarmiteFan59. I had four sessions two each week. Everything was very efficient. It was a little more uncomfortable for me and I did have very slight bleeding but nothing that lasted. My bladder felt a little sensitive but again that too didn’t last. I caught the train to my appointment and was back home on the next one it was so quick. I didn’t feel tired and worked from home the rest of the day.  I bought some silicone dilators which I use in conjunction with the ones given by the NHS nurse. The team explained everything and I was able to contact them if I had any questions.

    After the treatment I had a follow up appointment with the support nurse to make sure everything was okay. I had a follow up appointment with my consultant who did a quick internal exam to make sure all was looking ok which it was. 

    I have my follow up CT scan next week and two weeks later another appointment with my consultant. 

    I only had brachytherapy, I was offered external radiotherapy as well or to have no treatment. I went for the middle way as my cancer was caught very early. It was the presence of LVSI that made my mind up to go for brachytherapy. It certainly sounds more daunting than it is. I don’t know what other’s equipment looked like the box thing that held the applicator looked like something out of the dark ages but it worked just fine! Since my treatment in May I have had one UTI something which I have had only once before so here’s hoping it’s a one off.



  • I had 4 brachytherapy sessions in December 2022 after a total hysterectomy and chemotherapy for Stage 3C serous endometrial cancer. My own experience really echoes MarmiteFan59. My oncologist recommended it and at the time I decided I would have any treatment I was offered, however unpleasant it may be. It was fine, nothing to worry about. After effects were minimal, a little bit of pain easily treatable with paracetamol, slight discharge which I still have from time to time. At my last check up in May, my Consultant said the discharge does occur as a result of brachytherapy and can take a while to settle down. All in all it was a positive experience! 

  • Just wondering if this treatment makes using public transport for appointments tricky? I have seen bowel or bladder issues can result. Not compatible with a long journey!

  • Hi I used public transport for all my brachytherapy. I did have some slight sensitivity of my bladder but not immediately after the session. I walked to 10 mins to my station then 20 min train journey then 10 min walk to the hospital.  I carried on as normal when I got home too.  Hope this helps. 

  • Thank you. That's really helpful. I'm about an hour on the bus from hospital so it sounds doable. 

  • I had 25 radio and 2 brachy which were slotted in before the end of my radio. I drove myself - an hour each way so can’t answer from the public transport point of view but just wanted to say I had no side effects from my brachy than a slightly warm feeling when I peed, but I didn’t need to go any more often.

  • Thank you. That's good to know.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to MarmiteFan59

    Hi, I have some questions that are worrying me regarding radiotherapy. I had radical Robotic hysterectomy on 26th April and sailed through it but needed Adjuvent therapy, 4 chemo, 25 radio and 4 brachytherapy as the cancer had spread to my cervix which was also removed.  I am about to have my last chemo this week before starting my 25 sessions of radiotherapy and 4 brachytherapy in the next 3 weeks.  I have seen my oncologist today who has frightened the life out of me regarding the radiotherapy. He has said I will have to have an enema every day an hour before radiotherapy and again in the evening when I am at home (not looking forward to that but manageable)  Im ok with the radiotherapy itself, its the weekly progress appointment with my Oncologist that has got me nervous. He has told me I will have to have an internal anal and vaginal examination every week at my progress appointment. He said this is to make sure things are going smoothly. Is this normal, Ive read many experiences on the forums but not this. Also I understand why the bowel has to be empty, do you know if this is a suppository enema or a full blown one like when in labour? Sorry to ask graphic questions but I like to know what will happen. Any help would be appreciated to put my mind at risk.