clear vaginal discharge after external pelvic radiation - normal?

zsazsa1

I finished external beam pelvic radiation which included the vagina (no brachy) about 5 months ago.  I'm feeling MUCH better.  Bowel function is greatly improved.  My Gyn-Onc did a careful look-see internal exam about 3 weeks ago, said everything is fine.  My Ca-125 is finally under ten (barely) for the first time since I was diagnosed.  And I'm finally beginning to consider the possibility that maybe I won't have a recurrence.

However.... I am having increasing amounts of clear vaginal discharge.  Not enough to need to wear a pad, but it's definitely increasing.  The GYN says that the vagina looks like it was irradiated, and that there is an area with some slight damage, that may be the source of the discharge.  But it's so hard for me not to worry, especially since this was the symptom that I was told was nothing, but was actually UPSC.

Has anyone had clear vaginal discharge after brachytherapy or external beam vaginal radiation?

LisaPizza

I thought I  remembered

I thought I  remembered someone asking a similar question, so I'm surpised you've no responses, but maybe not. I had the clear discharge before diagnosis, but not after (I also had external and no brachy).

zsazsa1

Yes, I recall there was

Yes, I recall there was someone a few months ago with the same - never heard the outcome.  I had Herceptin today, and I think it's stopped since then, which is a little unsettling.  I made an appointment to get checked on Thursday.

zsazsa1

The Gyn/Onc did an extremely

The Gyn/Onc did an extremely thorough exam today, says there is NOTHING suspicious there.  Reassuring.

Forherself

Great news

Ever vigilant.  

suzycruise76

zsazsa1 said:

The Gyn/Onc did an extremely

The Gyn/Onc did an extremely thorough exam today, says there is NOTHING suspicious there.  Reassuring.

Big congrats,

so good to hear that!

Suzy

SF73

Glad to hear it, zsazsa!

Great news about your CA125 also. Thanks for the update.

Northwoodsgirl

Discharge

I recall that there was a posting this past spring I think about vaginal discharge clear to pinkish months after radiation. It turned out to be part of this person’s healing process. This individual also was just resuming being sexually active also. Best thing to do is exactly what you did- get it checked out and ask others on this forum. Glad it is nothing more to worry about. 

Lori

zsazsa1

Thanks, Northwoods.  I feel

Thanks, Northwoods.  I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster.  I just get to the point of thinking that maybe everything is going to be okay, and then something new comes up that makes me worry about the possibility of a recurrence. 

zsazsa1

I called the Gyn-Onc and

I called the Gyn-Onc and requested for an appointment to do punch biopsies of the vaginal cuff.  It's scheduled for next week.  The clear watery serous discharge continues, and it is exactly the same as the discharge I had for a year, that was from the UPSC/clear cell cancer.  I just cannot ignore it this time, despite the reassurance of no visible recurrence on physical exam.

Kaleena

zsazsa1 said:

I called the Gyn-Onc and

I called the Gyn-Onc and requested for an appointment to do punch biopsies of the vaginal cuff.  It's scheduled for next week.  The clear watery serous discharge continues, and it is exactly the same as the discharge I had for a year, that was from the UPSC/clear cell cancer.  I just cannot ignore it this time, despite the reassurance of no visible recurrence on physical exam.

It's good you are vigilant in

It's good you are vigilant in your care.  I found all of my recurrences.  I knew how I felt even though the scans were acceptable Or borderline.    You know your body.  its Good you are getting it checked

my best to you

kathy

Forherself

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this

I wonder how long the punch biopsly will take to heal in tissue that has been irradiated twice.   And will a punch biopsy work when there is not a target.   Do they ever do washings for biopsy.  It seems like they could.  Stain it for mutations.   Just a few questions.   Since it is so rare.  

Denise66

I had lots of vaginal

I had lots of vaginal discharge 6 weeks after Brachy is when it started. It lasted for over for 8 months. It was a very light yellow color.  I sought a second opinion at Mayo and was told it was because of the Brachy. I was told there is lots of healing after Brachy and the discharge was a product of the healing. This is off topic but survivors should know this. I asked about Metformin. The Mayo doc told me thway usually don’t prescribe it for my stage, 1b. However, because I was educated she would give it to me. She said “low risk, big benefit”. I’m very upset that women who are not as informed are not being prescribed this medication to reduce their risk.  

zsazsa1

Forherself said:

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this

I wonder how long the punch biopsly will take to heal in tissue that has been irradiated twice.   And will a punch biopsy work when there is not a target.   Do they ever do washings for biopsy.  It seems like they could.  Stain it for mutations.   Just a few questions.   Since it is so rare.  

I was wondering about this

I was wondering about this too.  I never had brachy - just external beam.  I have always been suspicious that it didn't hit the vagina, since I had no vaginal symptoms during radiation, but HORRIBLE bowel symptoms. But yes, I wonder if it would be slow to heal at the punch sites.

I've asked about a pap of the cuff, but I've read and been told that they don't, because it just would show atypia no matter what.

The discharge is exactly the same as the one I had from the malignancy, so it's very hard for me to just ignore it.

zsazsa1

Denise66 said:

I had lots of vaginal

I had lots of vaginal discharge 6 weeks after Brachy is when it started. It lasted for over for 8 months. It was a very light yellow color.  I sought a second opinion at Mayo and was told it was because of the Brachy. I was told there is lots of healing after Brachy and the discharge was a product of the healing. This is off topic but survivors should know this. I asked about Metformin. The Mayo doc told me thway usually don’t prescribe it for my stage, 1b. However, because I was educated she would give it to me. She said “low risk, big benefit”. I’m very upset that women who are not as informed are not being prescribed this medication to reduce their risk.  

I tried to take metformin

I tried to take metformin before the radiation, I think maybe even before chemo.  Had really bad diarrhea from it.  I'm under the impression that thus far, it has not been proven to be efficacious.  Also, I don't know if data has been separated out for endometrioid vs serous vs clear cell.

Forherself

zsazsa1 said:

I was wondering about this

I was wondering about this too.  I never had brachy - just external beam.  I have always been suspicious that it didn't hit the vagina, since I had no vaginal symptoms during radiation, but HORRIBLE bowel symptoms. But yes, I wonder if it would be slow to heal at the punch sites.

I've asked about a pap of the cuff, but I've read and been told that they don't, because it just would show atypia no matter what.

The discharge is exactly the same as the one I had from the malignancy, so it's very hard for me to just ignore it.

Just hard decisions

Yes, they are VERY hard decisions.   But I was thinking the area was radiated twice, and it wasn't so that is better.  I agree you shouldn't ignore it, and remember how hard the decision was about brachytherapy.  Now it helps.  I think the punch will heal much better 

Armywife

zsazsa1 said:

I tried to take metformin

I tried to take metformin before the radiation, I think maybe even before chemo.  Had really bad diarrhea from it.  I'm under the impression that thus far, it has not been proven to be efficacious.  Also, I don't know if data has been separated out for endometrioid vs serous vs clear cell.

Metformin

I learned about Metformin from this site (Takingcontrol) and then discovered that my second opinion gyn/onc at MD Anderson had studied it.  I asked my gyn/onc for it, and she said since I wasn't diabetic she couldn't prescribe it.  I went to my primary care doc and he had never heard of that use, but he's been taking it for 20 years for diabetes.  He did some research, called me back the next day and prescribed it.  He said I could expect a little diarrhea and possibly a 5-pound weight loss, but that there was one formulation that didn't cause diarrhea as much and that's what he prescribed me.  I've been on it for six months now and have actually struggled with constipation more!  I hope it works.  Since chemo, I've been prescribed nothing else, and at least I feel like I'm doing something..

zsazsa1

I had 4 punch/clip biopsies

I had 4 punch/clip biopsies done from the vaginal cuff, even though she couldn't see anything to biopsy.  Friends and family are asking how long I have to wait for results, as if I'm waiting with bated breath, when actually, now that it's done, I've just stopped thinking about it.  I'll deal with it when I get the results.  Radiologist said MRI abdomen/pelvis just as appropriate as CT for recurrence surveillance, so onc is ordering it, and hopefully insurance won't fight it.

Forherself

zsazsa1 said:

I had 4 punch/clip biopsies

I had 4 punch/clip biopsies done from the vaginal cuff, even though she couldn't see anything to biopsy.  Friends and family are asking how long I have to wait for results, as if I'm waiting with bated breath, when actually, now that it's done, I've just stopped thinking about it.  I'll deal with it when I get the results.  Radiologist said MRI abdomen/pelvis just as appropriate as CT for recurrence surveillance, so onc is ordering it, and hopefully insurance won't fight it.

Excellent

And the MRI does not give you more radiation I believe.   Insurance should pay based on your previous treatment and exposure to radiation.   

 

zsazsa1

All four biopsies from

All four biopsies from vaginal cuff were normal!  Hooray!  I am reassured about this discharge.

LisaPizza

zsazsa1 said:

All four biopsies from

All four biopsies from vaginal cuff were normal!  Hooray!  I am reassured about this discharge.

Awesome!

Awesome!