Post op treatment

Hi RobeH,

When the cancer is contained within the womb and hasn't spread to the lymphatic system extra treatment is usually described as 'belt and braces'. The treatment plan offered will take your mums circumstances into account for example; her age, her current health, how far through the womb that the cancer traveled, the type of womb cancer your mum has and the grade of the cancer (grade 1 is slowest growing and grade 3 is quicker). 

Its all about weighing up risk and lifestyle effects, for example my surgeon didn't test my lymph nodes due to my age, given my individual circumstances they felt that it wasn't worth removing them.

The consultants will hopefully be able to explain why they think any extra treatment is beneficial in your mums circumstances. all treatment has to be consented to, it's your mums choice and she is also entitled to ask for a second opinion if she feels like she needs one. 

I know how hard it is trying to make sense of things and make the right decisions, there is no right or wrong, your mum can only do what she thinks is best when she has all of the information available. 

Good luck for Wednesday

xx

Hello From what I've read on the forums,  ladies with low stage womb cancer are offered radiotherapy to help mop up any possible stray cells in the pelvic area and to reduce the risk of possible recurrence. The team should explain the pros and cons and whether they intend it to be brachytherapy (internal) or external radiation. Some doctors prefer to keep radiotherapy back in case something happens further down the line as there is such a thing as a lifetime dose, which means your Mum might only be able to have radiotherapy once in that area. My understanding of chemo is that it is used when the cancer has spread and the final staging/grade is higher. I had a high grade aggressive type staged 3c1 and had surgery then chemo then 25 sessions of external radiotherapy because a single  lymphnode was involved.  I think you need to be asking the doc some very specific questions as to why and the pros and cons in your Mums case. Hope that helps a little

Thank you both!

Hi RobeH,

I think radiotherapy is often used when there is a possibility of stray cancer cells escaping. My husband had 'belt and braces' radiotherapy after throat cancer 13 years ago. He then had a subsequent further operation and his neck took a very long time to heal up, due to the previous radiotherapy. I found myself thinking 'if it did that to his neck, how can any cancer cells survive?'

I don't think the ladies on here have as many problems with radiotherapy as he had, but it is in a different area, and things have moved on in those 13 years. My daughter had radiotherapy 6 years ago for breast cancer and declared it 'a walk in the park' compared to chemo.

I'm sure your Mum will be fine.  xxxx  

Hi ,

I was staged at 1a and grade 2 and was strongly advised to have both external RT and Brachytherapy as there was LVSI ( some cancer cells in the lymph/vascular channels) .  It was a bit of a let down as, like your mother I had recovered so well from the operation.  I was told it should reduce my chance of a recurrence in the pelvic area but a more remote recurrence would still be a possibility.  

I am happy to say that I have had few problems since the treatment and indeed found the treatment Ok to deal with..  The main problem was all the travelling involved every day for 5 weeks.  That was over 4  years ago and I am still well. 

 From people I met during treatment and stories I have read here I can see that those who have pre-existing problems with their bowels or bladder usually find they worsen during and after treatment so it is really important to tell your team about any issues like this so that they can take them into account and advise you on the best course.

Sadly none of us have a crystal ball but my oncologist said she would never suggest further treatment unless she was pretty sure the pros outweighed any possible disadvantages. 

Good Luck

I had stage 3 so had three sessions of brachytherapy in February. I’m still feeling the effects, mainly fatigue as it is a pretty strong treatment. 

You are best asking the pros and cons so you can weigh up the options. I felt obliged to have it