Uterine Cancer Treatment in AU and NZ
Uterine cancer starts in the uterus or womb. It can grow in the inside lining or from the outer muscular wall.
Cancers of the inside lining are called endometrial carcinoma. Cancers of the outer muscle are called sarcomas. Some cancers are both endometrial and sarcoma.
Radiation Therapy and Uterine Cancer
The best person to talk to about radiation therapy for uterine cancer is a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a specialist doctor who is part of the team that takes care of people having radiation therapy.
You can ask your doctor for a referral to a radiation oncologist to learn if radiation therapy is an option for you.
The Treatment Team
Doctors make a treatment plan for each person based on the:
- type of uterine cancer
- where the cancer is
- what other treatments have been tried
- the person’s health.
Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The type of treatment a person gets is worked out by a team of doctors and health professionals often called a Multidisciplinary Team.
A highly trained radiation oncology team takes care of people having radiation therapy. This includes radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists and radiation oncology nurses.
Role of Radiation Therapy in Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer usually involves surgery to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. During surgery, the doctor will assess the tumour to see if it is likely to come back.
Some people will not need any other treatment after surgery.
If the cancer is likely to come back, the treatment team may offer radiation therapy after surgery. This is called adjuvant radiation therapy.
If a person cannot have surgery, the treatment team may just do radiation therapy. For people with uterine cancer this is usually external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
For people with advanced cancer that cannot be operated on the treating team may offer palliative radiation therapy.
Types of Radiation Therapy Used for Uterine Cancer
Brachytherapy for uterine cancer
This is a common form of radiation treatment done after surgery. Radiation oncologists do brachytherapy to the top of the vagina.
The treating team often do brachytherapy 6 weeks after surgery to give people time to heal. It is effective and has very few side effects.
During brachytherapy, the treatment team deliver a very small radioactive source to the top of the vagina.
To do this the radiation oncologist inserts an applicator into the vagina and fixes it in place. The machine that houses the source is connected to the applicator and delivers the radiation.
This procedure does not hurt but can feel a little uncomfortable. The treatment takes from 5 to 20 minutes and the number of sessions varies.
To learn more, visit the brachytherapy for uterine cancer section.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
Sometimes the treatment team use external beam radiation therapy for uterine cancer.
This is done from outside the body. It treats a larger area in the pelvis, including where the tumour was growing and lymph nodes.
People get external beam radiation therapy once a day, 5 days a week from Monday to Friday for about 5 weeks. Each session takes 10-15 minutes.
General Information About Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is more effective with fewer side effects than ever before.
Recent advances mean radiation oncologists can effectively treat the cancer while getting less radiation on healthy body parts. This means much fewer side effects.
Side effects from radiation therapy vary between people, even for those having the same treatment.
While some people feel no side effects, some feel mild side effects, such as tiredness or skin redness during and/or just after treatment. These usually get better within a few weeks.
The treatment team will offer advice and medicine to help with side effects.
Serious side effects that start later (months to years after the radiation therapy) are rare.
Before starting treatment, your radiation oncologist will talk to you about side effects and answer your questions.
The side effects of radiation treatment can be split into 2 groups:
- Early side effects which occur during and shortly after radiation treatment.
- Late side effects which can occur months to years after radiation treatment.
For more information, go to the Potential Side Effects page.
Early Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Uterine Cancer
Early side effects occur during and shortly after radiation treatment. Early side effects of radiation therapy may include:
Fatigue: This is very common and may continue for several weeks after treatment.
Urinary changes: People may feel the need to pee more often or more urgently. Peeing can be painful and there may be some blood.
Bowel changes: Some people feel pain during bowel movements and there may be bleeding.
Small bowel irritation: Some people feel unwell in their stomach and may vomit.
Skin changes: Some people get red, itchy skin.
Loss of pubic hair: Some people lose hair in the area treated.
Vaginal irritation and soreness
What can help?
Resting as needed help with tiredness.
During treatment, your radiation oncology team will offer advice on skin creams and medicine to make you feel better.
Many women feel very emotional when they are treated for uterine cancer. This is quite normal and cancer centres provide psychological support for everyone who needs it.
Late Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Uterine Cancer
Late side effects vary between people and can happen a few months to a few years after treatment.
These side effects may never occur, occur once, continue over time, or come and go.
Bowel changes: Some people have long term bowel changes. This can be diarrhoea, pain, and constipation. Some people may pass mucous or blood.
Urinary irritation: Some people have long term changes, like irritation when peeing and urgency. Incontinence is rare.
Vaginal changes: Scarring with dry shortened vagina is common.
Small bowel obstruction: People may get a bowel obstruction. This can cause stomach pain and vomiting. It can also cause changes in bowel movements from constipation to watery poo or a complete blockage. It is very important to see the doctor if this happens.
Lymphoedema: Swelling of the legs may occur. This is usually mild. If the lymph glands were removed and the treating team used pelvic radiation the risk is higher.
Pelvic bone fractures: This is a rare side effect
Second cancer: Cancers caused by radiation therapy are a very rare side effect.
What can be done to treat late side effects?
Your treating team will offer plenty of advice about late side effects and can supply medicines to help with bowel and urinary symptoms.
Vaginal cylinders after brachytherapy can help vaginal scarring and reduce pain, especially in sexually active women.
Learn more on the Brachytherapy page.
In the case of lymphoedema, advice from a specialist is helpful. Treatment may include exercise, compression wear and massage.
Other Useful Resources for Uterine Cancer
Find additional information about cancer types, research groups, and support groups.
Radiation Oncologist
The best person to talk to is a radiation oncologist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to find out if radiation treatment is right for you.
GPs and Health Professionals
Information for any health professional involved in a patient's cancer care with a particular focus on primary care providers.
Talking to Your Doctor
Your GP or other doctors in the cancer team can organise a referral to a radiation oncologist.
Treatment Centres
Search and find your closest Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre.
