topic cervical and radiation/chemo in Treatments and side effects

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:21:11 GMT

i am newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, has anyone gone through radiation and chemo for this?

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:22:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am recovering from treatment for the the same I was dx about 2 and a half years ago, I was nearly 31. I know what you are going through right now & it can be a scarey time. Please message me privately and we can have a chat or post some more on the forum & I will try to give you some info or just for some support. All the best Butterfly

cervical and radiation/chemo

bev — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:23:11 GMT

Hello louisa. I had stage 2 uterine cancer, only had 28 doses of radiation, so cannot help you on the thoughts of chemo, sorry. But, like Butterfly if you need to chat via messages this way, or privately please feel free to do so.

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:24:00 GMT

thanks butterfly and bev i have been given choice of rad hysterrec + lymph node removal + radiation or radiation/chemo external + 3 lots of radiation internal following that. oncologist said the new chemo they would use for cervical cancer, does not cause hair loss (no longer an issue) and seems to work astonishingly well for cervical cancer having a better outcome due to a higher incidence of cancer not returning or spreading, but could cause some severe bladder and bowel damage, still as i am a runner and have always been active, (Im 49) they thought the radiation/chemo would be better for me as it would give more mobillity than the lymph node option. i am still devastated but am trying to work out what is best for the long run. cancer sucks p.s. its hard to think ill never get to run again its brought me through some tough times.

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:25:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, I had the radical hysterectomy + lymphnode removal + radiation + chemo + internal radiation. Truely I was more concerned with the removal of the lymphnodes than I was any of the other treatments, My surgeon didnt give me a choice. Not sure how many they removed but I think he said all that he could see, which would be all of them I would say. I have always been active and was too worried about the effects. But honestly it does not effect my mobility in any way. I am only small so not sure it thats why, but its probably more noticable to me just a heavy feeling. Only a few times has it been so bad Ive had to have it checked out. It does not stop me from doing anything I want to do. And most of the time my leg doesnt look any different then other times especially in the heat it swells a little. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to keep it at bay. I get a bit worried about infections from bites and scratches so I have to watch that. Anyway its a big decision. What does your onco advise you to do? I would do as he/she says. Its always worked for me. I have absolute faith and trust in my Doctor and he hasnt let me down yet. When are due to start?

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:26:00 GMT

i have to make a decision on which way to go by wednesday, and they will make arrangements then, they just said because of my active lifestyle that the radiation/chemo might be best , but that its my decision, having said that the whole team seems divided, but i have been very exacting about the outcomes available to me , and lymph node disection terrified me because they said i would not be able to run again because it would put to much pressure on them. they have left it to me because its better to have some say in these things, one doctor said, and i am that sort of person who likes to do that anyway!i know i wont be the same again, but i want to preserve what i can in my life

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:27:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, Sounds like you have a good plan. And yes its good to question everything, Im like that as well probably a bit annoying but hey its our bodies and I think most doctors appreciate that. Originally I was given the option of having a new procedure done which was going to preserve my uterus as we wanted more children. I was really happy, then I had day surgery for the staging and they took a biopsy of the tumor which came back as grade 3 really nasty and agressive and it was growing through blood vessels. When the pathology results were in I went back just prior to the surgery for another appointment and was told that I was no longer a candidate for this new procedure because the tumor was a nasty one and that I had to go for the agressive treatments if I wanted to have a good chance of seeing my kids grow up. Thats where the choice was taken away from me as soon as my Oncologist said that I just knew I didnt have a choice. So basically all of this happened within about a 10 day period, on the 11th day I was in for the surgery and it all went very quickly from there. Yes there are side effects but to be honest they are minimal. Most of my family & friends were amazed how quickly I recovered and bounced back. It has been just over 2 years now and I go for my regular check ups and every now and then I have something checked out. The radiation made my bowel and bladder a bit unhappy for a while but its all fine now. Are you in Sydney? I went through the RNSH, they are all wonderful. Keep us up to date and take care

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:28:00 GMT

thankyou for sharing your experiences it helps alot!. my cervical cancer is abit tricky because it started at the top of the cervix not the bottom, which immediatly compromised my uterus. after exploration under aenestethic the surgeons fellow spoke to me and said there was also a nodule in the bladder. The thing about surgery that scares me is that they might not get it all or that it can hide in the cells, so im thinking very seriously about the radiation/chemo option, despite the fact that internal/external rad/chemo scares me as well, these are awfull desisiions for a known coward like me. There is a radiation/chemo mix which has shown to have great results with cervical cancer, my onco said, and i found an english site (reputable) which spoke of this and named the drug as cisplatin mixed with radiation, and said that in many cases it kept the cancer from returning, and for those whom it did return they found it took longer than would normally be to return, has anyone had experience with this?, p.s. im with the rwh in randwick

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:29:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, My treatments were cisplatin with radiation + internal radiation. And as far as I know this is the most effective treatment to date for cervical cancer with no distant spread or still confined in the pelvis. Im no doctor but I spent hours and hours researching the best treatments & this is it. I was really frightened about the internal radiation, but it was the easiest part of the whole thing. It was given in 3 treatments over 2 weeks and each treatment took only 10 minutes or so. The chemo was given every wednesday over the 6 week radiotherapy treatments. The chemo takes all day there are a lot of other meds given, the cisplatin itself only takes around 2 hours to go through the drip but before and after there are anti nausea meds and lots of fluids to help flush out the kidneys. By about Saturday 3 days after the chemo I would start to feel much better. The best thing is sleep, the chemo and the radiation kind of force you to get lots of it. And its the best time for your body to heal. Though it was hard for me, my youngest was only 1 at the time and he just didnt like to sleep all night!

cervical and radiation/chemo

Beccnat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:30:11 GMT

Hi Butterfly, Your story sounds scarily similar to mine, at least in terms of what happens next. I had a LAVH (laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy) on the 16th of September, which unfortunately revealed that I had an invasive adenocarcinoma stage IB1. I was scheduled to have a radical parametrectomy and BSO on the 13th of November to get clean margins. But I was really worried that the swelling and inflammation from the first surgery was if anything, getting worse, not better. I spoke to my gyn-onco

cervical and radiation/chemo

Beccnat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:31:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, I'm researching and working through the whole lymphedema spectre now as well. One thing I did do was find a physiotherapist who is accredited/ specialises in lymphedema 'Complete Decongestive Therapy' and I was assessed and fitted with compression stockings before I started my treatment. I have been wearing these off and on since getting home from the hospital on Wednesday. I have really noticed a difference and feel much better while wearing them. I have found that the research varies widely on the percentages of women affected by lymphedema following treatment for gynecological cancers , from 15%-30%. Chemoradiation and surgery seem to have similar risks for developing lymphedema. I will have the triple-whammy, having all three treatments! Also the onset is very unpredictable, ranging from within weeks of treatment to many years later. I've started already, even before the radiation. 😞 Useful articles: Beesley, V et al 2007, 'Lymphedema after cancer treatment: prevelence, correlates and supportive care needs', Cancer, vol. 109, no. 12, pp. 2607-2614. Bergmark, K et al 2006, 'Lymphedema and bladder-emptying difficulties after radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer and among population controls', International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, vol. 16, pp. 1130-1139. Habermann, TM & Steensma, DP 2000, 'Lymphadenopathy', Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 75, pp. 723-732. Ryan, M et al 2003, 'The experience of lower limb lymphedema for women after treatment for gynecological cancer', Oncology Nursing Forum, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 417-423. 'Exercizes', viewed 28 November 2008, <> National Lymphedema Network 2008, 'Position statement of the National Lymphedema Network. Topic: Exercise', viewed 28 November 2008, <> I, too, am totally bewildered at the thought of no running or jogging. But yoga and swimming are included on the list of benefitial exercises, so all is not lost. Regards, Beccnat

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:32:11 GMT

Hi Beccnat, That is quite a story! Glad to hear you are recovering well from the surgery. Its really good to finally see others posting in this section. I have been on here since the forum began and most people tend to drop by for a message and never come back. I know its hard to talk about for some people but I find it helps me. I have had a few issues with lymphoedema. The trick is to catch it before it becomes a major problem. The stockings are good when there is no swelling and is a definete must for any air travel.Applying an antibiotic cream to any bites and not shaving your legs, I use the hair removal cream now. The one thing I have had to program myself to do is to keep the problem leg elevated as often as I can even if for just 5 minutes. For me falling down the stairs was pretty much it from that day on that ankle has been a problem, and unfortunatley once you have it, you have it. Also the heat is not good. Swimming is the best thing you can do and the deeper you are in the water the better. I go through a good lymphoedema clininc in Hornsby in Sydney. Having said all that; Most days my lymphoedema is only noticeable by me. I can feel the pressure, sometimes it is swollen and my hubby notices but usually late at night after Ive been on my feel all day. My Oncologist says its amazing it always effects the left leg in most patients, I say I think its because he's right handed! Hope to chat soon & take care. Butterfly

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:33:00 GMT

Thanks beccnat! I am chasing this information as we speak - i am sorry to hear your story, no not all reproductive cancers are slow growing, it seems most are but not all. I wish you every sucess and every thing you need to win your battle, hang in there and remember the mantra, you are going to get through this. I have decided to go with the radi/chemo option because cisplatin is also used for lung and bladder cancer so if there is anything lurking in the bladder still it should kill it , along with the cervical and uterus as well, they said there was an 80% chance they would get it all, but i dont want to have to have an op + this too, and its just too seductive that lymph node damage after radi/chemo is not usually as great as after the op, however i do understand that damage to the bladder/bowel could be greater than the op. its just an all round awful decision, but im getting better at making it.

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:34:00 GMT

here goes. ..... my mri came back, and i have been told that operation is no longer possible for me. even though i had just about decided on radi/chemo i feel upset that my choice has been taken from me even though i know its good because i no longer have to make a rotton choicei just feel so bad i just want to run away, i dont want any operation and i dont want any radi/chemo they want to put it in and out, i want to run run runand im afraid i will

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:35:11 GMT

Hi Louisa, Sorry to hear you are feeling the stress although its understandable, give yourself a break. Its totally okay and quite normal to feel overwhelmed by everything. So they have said no surgery and they want to just do the chemo/radio? I know how you feel about just wanting to run, but you can instead stay & fight; you will get through the treatments. I remember days like that where I just couldnt face it and I just wanted to pretend it wasnt happening but I can look back now and understand it for what it was, shock and the stress of it all. Please post back and let us know how you are doing today. Keep your chin up..

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:36:00 GMT

still not so good i just want my body the way it is and my right to a natural menopause in my own time and to carry on with my life i am just finishing my fine art degree and should be out starting my career off or doing my dip ed to teach like everyone else but i barly scraped through this term with this crappy cancer malarky and now there is no direction but hospitals and poisons. i am an abuse survivor and have always been a fighter ruled by my own determination but i cant seem to find any for this

cervical and radiation/chemo

Beccnat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:37:11 GMT

Louisa, I am so with you on this. It's scary and painful and there are no guarantees. It sucks! Just be thankful you didn't go the surgical route only to find out you need CT/RT as well. And with Cisplatin you probably won't lose your hair! We can do this. Beccnat

cervical and radiation/chemo

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:38:11 GMT

I know what you mean, it is crap...there are better words but none that I can use on here. And the menopause thing I can relate. I was in the midst of having a family fit and otherwise healthy then at at the ripe old age of 31 went into menopause. Yehaa, I couldnt believe it my surgeon had tagged my ovaries up high into my abdomen during the surgery in the hope that the radiation wouldnt get them but no luck. But it is no sure thing that you will go into menopause. Cisplatin can sometimes cause menopause symptoms to come for the short term but these symptoms do ususally go, its the radiation thats the problem. After grappling with the prospect of menopause, which nobody seemed to understand, I just decided that I could look at it for what it is. My hormones dont define me as a woman or mother and it can be a positive change in life if you just let it be. But you should really just wait and see what happens with you. If might not be as bad as you think, but I can totally understand your fear. Your main goal now is to get well. Try not to think about the side effects too much just acknowledge that you might get some of them down the track and that you can deal with it if or when it happens. Like beccnat says ..... You can do this.

cervical and radiation/chemo

louisa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:39:00 GMT

thank you i know what you say is true. There is no not going into menopause for me though, because they said that after the radi/chemo they will do intrnal radiation and they will aim it at my cervis uterus and ovaries, they will actually aim it there. i dont think theres going to be any comming out of that. i know that the oncologist i have now is very good to me he has gone to another hospital to set up the last part, the internal radi so i can have it all under aenesthetic (they wont at this hospital, they wake you up after they put the rods up) because of my background i just didnt want to be further traumatised by being awake while i get killed on yhe inside again.

cervical and radiation/chemo

Beccnat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:40:11 GMT

Louisa, I was really scared about early surgical menopause (I'm 45). So far it hasn't been too bad. The first hot flash (that I can remember) happened 8 days after the surgery. I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. My heartbeat became very erratic and I began to sweat profusely. I was just about to have a panic attack (having lots of those since my dx) but suddenly tweaked that it was probably a hot flash. Did some controlled breathing to calm myself down, had a cool glass of water and managed to get back to sleep. I had 2 more that night. Still having between 6-12 hot flashes a day, but they honestly aren't bothering me that much. I know they are interrupting my REM sleep, but since I'm on sick leave atm, I can have naps during the day. I'm investigating using SSRI antidepressants, which are supposed to provide relief from the hot flashes as well as helping with the anxiety and depression. I think I'd prefer that to HRT. I'm not in any rush though, I'd like to wait and see if I can manage without. Here's a couple of links I found useful: http://www.jeanhailes.org.au/images/stories/Education/Documents/info/2005early_menopause.pdf http://www.jeanhailes.org.au/images/stories/Education/Documents/info/2006earlymeno_wellbeing.pdf Cheers, Beccnat