Radiotherapy/ Brachytherapy

Hi Chlorakas,

I had a total hysterectomy and 6 rounds of chemotherapy last year and then completed my treatment with four rounds of brachytherapy in December. I didn’t have any external radiotherapy so cannot comment on that but brachytherapy was painless, if a little undignified. The only after effects I have had is mild to moderate ache low down in my tummy and some discharge which the Radiographer said was normal. Hope this helps put your mind at rest about brachytherapy. 

Hi Chlorakas-  I had womb cancer- hysterectomy April 2022, Four cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxol chemo from May to Aug. Then I had 25 sessions of external beam radiotherapy in Aug/Sept. I did not have brachytherapy- when I asked why the consultant said there was no cancer in my cervix. The radiotherapy was daunting and before it started I couldn't imagine going everyday for 5 weeks. Once started though it did go more quickly than I thought- you just sort of focus on it and keep going. I counted down the days. The staff were lovely. Planning appt went through side effects and what would happen. I had a planning CT scan. I had to take off my trousers but just pull my knickers down a little way. I was covered with a paper towel thing. I had 3 tattoo dots put on. These didnt hurt any more than a pin prick. They put a tiny ink drop on me and then scratched it with a fine needle. At the moment I am having laser removal done- but that is a personal choice. The actual radiotherapy sessions started about 10 days later. I had to arrive early- do a mini enema- not as bad as it sounds and first 10 days only.After it had worked I then had to drink 3 cups of water and wait for 30 mins. After that I was taken to the treatment room. Again it was just take trousers off. They would then scan me to make sure bladder was right size. - ultrasound. They then checked details and lined me up with the tattoo dots so I was in the right position each time. There was like a light beam. Nothing actually touches you during the treatment. There is a sort of whirring noise where the machine goes around you. My treatment was 2 circles of the machine. Was on the table maybe 5 minutes. Then they come back in the room and help you down. Each day I was asked about side effects. Once a week I had a review. Everyone is different but my side effects were- fatigue- its passing 3 months after the end of treatment, diarrhoea- mine was bad - I took imodium 4 times a day, buscapan for cramps, and in the end was given codeine phosphate. I also had to take anti nausea meds. This did help however I did have watery diarrhoea many times a day. 3 months later my bowels are not yet right but much improved. Nausea was a problem for the last few sessions but resolved pretty quickly after the last session. Some people get sore skin but mine was ok using the moisturiser I was given. I had minimal skin effects. I still feel tender and achy around my pelvis but no real pain. After radiotherapy they give you plastic vaginal dilators that they recommend you use. Not pleasant, but doable. During radiotherapy I had problems with blood results- low magnesium and low heamoglobin and needed a blood transfusion. Am not sure though whether this was due to the previous chemo or the radio or a combination of both. I was given magnesium supplements. Hope this helps- any worries please reach out. Its doable

Jane

Hi chlorakas, welcome to the group! I had 25 radiotherapy and 2 brachytherapy last year and finished in May. There’s actually a dedicated thread for Radiotherapy/Brachytherapy here on the group where you will find lots of positive stories, helpful tips and advice. Here is the link:  Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy) 

It can be different for different women, but for me the main palaver of radiotherapy wasn’t the treatment itself, but the driving to and from every day and the waiting! I had no side effects at all till week 4, and actually drove myself (on my own) to all my radio appointments. My husband took me to my brachy treatments not because I didn’t feel able to drive but because he wanted to come along plus I knew the appointments would be much much quicker than my radio appointments as there was rarely any delay. 

Feel free to ask any questions either here or on the radio/brachy thread. One tip I’d suggest for your planning appointment is to take some sweets with you to take away the taste of the contrast solution that you’re likely to be asked to drink. If you’d like to read about my story, please feel free to click on my name and it should take you to my profile.

Thanks for the speedy reply and the tip re sweets for the planning, will look at the dedicated for Radiotherapy/Brachy.

Thanks for your input.

Wow Jane thanks so much for all the info. Sorry to hear your side effects were not so good. I wonder if the more radiation you receive gives worse side effects. I am stage 3c1 and will have quite a high dose. Will bear in mind taking my own water to drink.

Hi again chlorakas, I’m not medical but I think the radiation dose is based on weight not on grade of cancer. So I don’t think that dose and side effects are linked. I was given a pelvic radiotherapy leaflet before treatment started - part of this explained dietary adjustments that could be made to help minimise bowel side effects and I think that helped. FWIW I had no side effects at all from brachy.

Thanks again I will ask tomorrow, I have to say I am having worries as to the effectiveness of this treatment as I am such a high stage and my growth which was missed on the CT scan I had last July was 13mm - at that time I was told everything was clear nothing to worry about, it was a routine appointment with my Oncologist in November that alerted the problem, another CT scan was booked and I was advised of the July mistake and the CT scan I had in December shows it has now grown to 31mm. I looked at the thread you kindly mentioned but could not see anyone with similar symptoms and at my stage. 

They had a water dispenser at the hospital but you can take in squash. I found I met the same people a lot as we were all going in everyday. Pretty much everyone on pelvic radiotherapy had upset stomach. Thats why they only ask for the enema for the first 10 days. I was still weal after chemo so sometimes its hard to know what caused what. But once started it went fairly quickly and they do look after you well. Good luck 

Just to say that whether or not an enema is required at all depends on the hospital policy - mine (Southampton) did not require an enema before either the CT or before the radiotherapy sessions.