Radiation therapy is an option for women with all stages of uterine cancer.
It may be used before or after surgery. For women who can't have surgery for
other medical reasons, radiation therapy may be used instead to destroy cancer
cells in the uterus. Women with cancer that invades tissue beyond the uterus may
have radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It affects
cells in the treated area only.
Doctors use two types of radiation therapy to treat uterine cancer. Some
women receive both types:
External radiation therapy: A large machine directs radiation at
your pelvis or other areas with cancer. The treatment is usually given in a
hospital or clinic. You may receive external radiation 5 days a week for
several weeks. Each session takes only a few minutes.
Internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy): A narrow
cylinder is placed inside your vagina, and a radioactive substance is loaded
into the cylinder. Usually, a treatment session lasts only a few minutes and
you can go home afterward. This common method of brachytherapy may be
repeated two or more times over several weeks. Once the radioactive
substance is removed, no radioactivity is left in the body.
Side effects depend mainly on which type of radiation therapy is used, how
much radiation is given, and which part of your body is treated. External
radiation to the abdomen and pelvis may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or
urinary problems. You may lose hair in your genital area. Also, your skin in the
treated area may become red, dry, and tender.
You are likely to become tired during external radiation therapy, especially
in the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually
advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.
For women who have not had surgery to remove the ovaries, external radiation
aimed at the pelvic area can harm the ovaries. Menstrual periods usually stop,
and women may have hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Menstrual
periods are more likely to return for younger women.
After either type of radiation therapy, you may have dryness, itching, or
burning in your vagina. Your doctor may advise you to wait to have sex until a
few weeks after radiation therapy ends.
Also, radiation therapy may make the vagina narrower. A narrow vagina can
make sex or follow-up exams difficult. There are ways to prevent this problem.
If it does occur, however, your health care team can tell you about ways to
expand the vagina.
Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be upsetting, they can
usually be treated or controlled. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways to
relieve discomfort.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions about radiation therapy:
Why do I need this treatment?
Which type of radiation therapy do you suggest for me?
When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
Will I need to stay in the hospital?
How will I feel during treatment?
How will radiation therapy affect my sex life?
How will we know if the radiation treatment is working?
Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. Treatment of endometriosis can be with medication or surgery.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder, or pain during a bowel movement. Treatment options vary from surgery to medication.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Benign uterine growths are tissue enlargements of the female womb (uterus). Three types of benign uterine growths are uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine polyps. Symptoms include: abdominal pressure, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Diagnosis and treatment of benign uterine growths depends upon the type of growth.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
Endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, affects the endometrium of the uterus. It's the most common invasive cancer of the female reproductive system. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, taking estrogen-only hormone therapy, early menstruation, late menopause, and never being pregnant.
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