Cervical cancer stage 1

[Francesca]

Hi, I'm a 50 yr old mother of three young kids, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 1 which I had a radical hysterectomy. The pathology came back good as the cancer was confined just in the cervix. The gynecology oncologist suggests that I should undergo a 6 weeks Radiotheraphy as well. I am so confused now because they were talking no Radiotheraphy needed before my surgery if it's confined in the cervix which it was. Has anybody who is/was in similar situation? What would be the long term side effects on someone who had Radiotheraphy? Please anybody out there who can help me with any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Sasha15]

Hi Francesca, I am 36 and a mother of 1, I was diagnosed with stage 1b cervical cancer confined to cervix in march this year . Originally I was booked in for a radical hysterectomy however small traces of cancer were found in my lymph nodes in my pelvis so my oncologist pulled the surgery and said I would need radiation/chemo instead . I actually started my treatment two days a go so yet to gave any side effects... I'm booked in for 5 weeks of radiation / chemo... low dose of chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week . what I've been told the biggest long term side effect is the possibility of narrowing and shortening of the vagina, however this can be avoided , the place where you receive treatment from will go through it with you... Of course there is also short term side effects such as bowel issues, diarrhoea/ constipation, skin irritation, pain when urinating etc. but these can be treated...... Maybe your oncologist is suggesting radiation to be certain that all cancer is gone ? I know that mine mentioned that sometimes there are small particles/cells of cancer that may be floating around that are too small to be picked up by the scans ????... Feel free to private message me if you have any questions.

[Francesca]

Hi Sasha15, I was overwhelmed when I read your comment as it is very nice to hear from someone who is in the same boat, who understands what i'm going through. I had another visit to my Radiation Therapist today as I am not decided yet of what I am going to do. When I was diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma stage 1b, the cone biopsy's result was good, it was confined in the cervix.Then I had a radical hysterectomy which they removed everything. My gynecology oncologist said, they removed the cancer and all my 28 pelvic lymph nodes were all clear of cancer and there is no sign of spread, except there was a small amount of cancer cells in the blood vessel and that's why they recommend a 6 week low-dose radiotherapthy. It is very difficult to get into something when I haven't have much time and enough information of the long term side effects.I supposed I would like to hear it first hand from someone like you. I would like to ask you if yours is adenocarcinoma too or a squamouscarcinoma? and is your radiation both internal and external? Please let me know.. thank you for the information you provided to me.Francesca 🙂

[Sasha15]

Hi Francesca, I have adenocarcinoma of the cervix 1b too however with positive lymph nodes. They did remove the lymph nodes but still a chance that it may of spread hence why surgery was no longer an option. I will be receiving both external and internal radiation. External radiation combined with chemo for 5 weeks, I will then have a couple of days break and then will have 4 sessions twice a week of brachytherapy (internal), it is anticipated if everything goes well my treatment should be finished by the end of June. I'm not sure what state you live in but I'm in Victoria and are being treated at Peter Mac. I have spoken to a few women there with cervical cancer and the treatment I'm receiving is pretty standard across the board for cervical cancer., If your still not feeling like you have been well informed by your oncologist about the long term side effects keep asking them for more information, it is a lot to digest and a big decision to make ! Sasha