Vaginal cuff dehiscence fears

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I’m probably getting far ahead of myself as my first oncology appointment isn’t until 8th January. I’ve been told I am stage 3b and am nearly 5 weeks post laparoscopic total hysterectomy and so I am expecting both chemo and radiotherapy. 

According to what I’ve read laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies have a higher risk/incidence of vaginal cuff dehiscence.
Brachytherapy involves putting something that looks quite big inside the vagina to deliver the radiation and I’m worried that they will tear the vaginal cuff.
Does anyone have experience of brachytherapy after a total hysterectomy and if so can you advise if I’m worrying over nothing.

Thank you

  • Hi EP17, I appreciate that you’re worried and anxious but please stop googling! Dr Google should be struck off as he/she often scares people to death with out of date, incorrect or inapplicable info. FWIW I had 2 x day brachy (and 25 x radio) as a day patient in 2022 and the rays were delivered by a tiny probe type thing inside an applicator no bigger than a tampon. Each session lasted about 6 minutes, And the brachy nurse was very careful to choose the right size of tube for me at my planning mini CT. It was a breeze. 

  • I know you are right about the googling but I don’t want any more surprises. 
    I was originally led to believe I was stage 1b or 2 but histology changed that to 3b. I never expected my bladder to be injured and to end up with a catheter for 3 weeks either. 
    I just want to be prepared before the therapies hence why I came here to ask the question and it is reassuring to hear your experience.

  • What I’d also recommend, once you’ve had your first oncology appointment, is to ask for a brachytherapy nurse to phone you. Then you can ask questions and chat things over even before your first brachy consultation. I had a few questions and told my CNS and she arranged a phone call for me and it was really helpful.