Introduction - Endometrial IIIA

llhgrey

Hello,

 

I was diagnosed with stage IIIA endometrial cancer on October 5 after a full debulking surgery.  I started my chemo on November 8 - I am scheduled for 6 cycles of Taxol and Carboplatin, but my doctor did not order any radiation therapy.  I was wondering if this isunusual?  After reading many of the posts, it seems that many are receiving radiation in addition to chemo.  Thanks!  Laura

NoTimeForCancer

Laura, so sorry to hear you

Laura, so sorry to hear you have had to join our club, but please know you are not alone and there are terrific women here who will welcome you with open arms.

Radiation does seem to be the biggest question out there.  Some have gotten the chemo and chose NOT to get the radiation, others have had the "sandwich" of chemo/radiation (external and/or brachytherapy)/chemo or all chemo and then radiation.  

I am going to assume you are working with a gynecologic oncologist, they specialize in 'below the belt' cancers, and would flat out tell them you have read where many women have recieved the radiation and ask why you are not.  Unfortunately, often we find that we have to be our own advocates and just understanding why we are told to do what we do and why is half the battle.  All we all really want is answers.

Please feel free to ask anything here.  The women are terrific and will share their experiences.  

Violet123

Hi Laura, I too am sorry to

Hi Laura, I too am sorry to hear you have had to join this club.  It is a shock to be here.  I had surgery August 10 for Endometrial cancer, and started Chemo August 31, Taxol/Carboplatin.   At the next post op visit. My gyn/Onc said he was going to present my case to the tumor board at the medical center where I receive treatment.   The following week I received notification that the tumor board's recommendation was for radiation following chemotherapy.   I have completed 3 of 6 rounds of chemo (scheduled every 3rd week).  I have mixed feelings about radiation.  I am going to move forward and do all I can to fight this cancer.  Ask your physician about the radiation.  Each visit I have a notebook filled with questions I have prepared to ask my MD, and he takes the time to answer each one.  You can also get a second opinion if you want to.  

 

This group has been an encouragement and has good information and resource ideas.

barnyardgal

I'm sorry. My doctors have

I'm sorry. My doctors have scheduled me for 6 chemo treatments and radiation. I was supposed to have a taxol/carbon chemo treatment today, but had reaction so just got carbo. I would ask why no radiation. It is standard treatment from what I've seen.

Kaleena

Hi Laura:

Hi Laura:

I was diagnosed with Grade 2 Stage 3a Endometrial Adenocarcinoma.  I did my 6 cycles of chemo and then I did brachytherapy (3 treatments).  The radiation was almost a year later.  The gyne/onc wanted me to do pelvic radiation at that time, but the radiation/oncologist advised against it since I have so much scarring.    By the way, that was back in 2005/2006.

My best to you,

Kathy

MAbound

With stage III A, I think

With stage III A, I think most of us get offered radiation because if there's going to be recurrence it's most likely going to be in the vaginal cuff area first (then the lungs) so having pelvic and vaginal radiation ups the odds of not having a recurrence there. Things that also point in the direction of needing radiation are the cancer originating lower rather than higher in the body of the uterus (i.e. nearer the neck that seperates the uterus from the cervix), lymphovascular involvement (any pelvic nodes with cancer?) and myometrial (uterine muscle) penetration greater than 50%. If you have any of these in your pathology you may really want to question why radiation is not being offered to you. Frontline treatment is your best chance for a cure, so you want to stay on top of this.

EZLiving66

I had Stage II UPSC and my

I had Stage II UPSC and my oncologist/gynecologist did not recommend any radiation even though I only had three chemo. His PA told me he saves it for a recurrence.  

Love, 

Eldri 

MoeKay

Internal and External Radiation

Hi Laura,

I was treated for endometrial cancer in 1999.  Shortly before my surgery, my gynecologic oncologist had the radiation discussion with me.  He explained that after surgery some women need no radiation, some need internal radiation, some need external radiation, and some need both.  He said that it would depend on what the pathology showed.  I had all of the risk factors for recurrence that MAbound mentioned in her post above.  My tumor arose in the lower uterine segment, I had extensive lymphvascular space invasion, and my tumor also had invaded approximately 80% of the thickness of the myometrium, which is the muscle wall of the uterus.  I also had a fairly large tumor, which was about 4 cm.  For all the foregoing reasons, my gyn-onc said I should have both internal and external radiation.  

I would suggest you have a discussion with your gyn-onc to find out what went into his/her decision that you do not need radiation.  It would be helpful if you have a copy of your pathology report handy at the time of your discussion, so you can see for yourself the factors on which the decision was based.

Good luck and good health to you.

MoeKay

llhgrey

Discussion on 11/29

Thanks for the information and advice - my 2nd chemo is on the 29th, and I am going to ask my Gyn oncologist about including radiation therapy.  My tumor was very large (13.5 x 9 cm) and it had metastasized to both ovaries, and there was 70% penetration into the uterine wall.  The surgeon only removed two of my lymph nodes, and they were negative for malignancy.  I will let you know what he recommends and why.

ncg007

llhgrey said:

Discussion on 11/29

Thanks for the information and advice - my 2nd chemo is on the 29th, and I am going to ask my Gyn oncologist about including radiation therapy.  My tumor was very large (13.5 x 9 cm) and it had metastasized to both ovaries, and there was 70% penetration into the uterine wall.  The surgeon only removed two of my lymph nodes, and they were negative for malignancy.  I will let you know what he recommends and why.

Second Opinions

Once you get a better understanding on radiation from your Gyn Oncolgist, you may want to get a second & third opinion, and also additional opinion on pathology report.  Then if radiation is recommended, the decision is how it will be given.  This will be conversations with Radiatin Oncologist, again you may want to get a couple consultations.  My diagnosis was stage IIIC1.  Radiation was givien concurrent with chemo, 28 rounds of external radiation and 2 rounds of Cisplatin Chemo given on day 1 and day 21 of radiation, followed by 4 rounds of carbo/taxol.  I know it's overwhelming, but everyones results are unique and there is not a one size fits all treatment.  Sorry that you have had to join the club.  Best wishes to you for successful results.