One of my radiologists talked about this.  It's a type of low-dose radiation as opposed to the HDR brachytherapy that most of us have.  I do understand that it is being used less frequently these days, but don't know what the thinking is when it comes to choosing between the two methods.

When I daughter had thyroid cancer she had swallow a radioactive pill that was laced with iodine so it would be attracted to the thyroid cancer that had spread.  She was in the hospital for about three or four days and I could only visit her once a day for a short time behind the "lead line."  The entire room was covered in plastic including the bathroom and when she got out of the hospital she was supposed to stay at home and away from small children, babies and pregnant women for at least a week.  

It must have worked because she went almost 20 years before they found another tumor in her neck which they removed and found it hadn't spread.

Good luck to you!!!

Love,

Eldri

I had the 3 brachytherapies HDR (High-Dose Radiation) treatments.   I went one time a week for three weeks and like Debra it only took 5-10 mintues after the initial setup (which took about 45 minutes).   I couldn't do external treatments because I was already pretty scarred up from the endometriosis.  My best to you.

Kathy

3 treatments over a 2-week period. Like others the treatment was brief and really not bad at all. Like you I'm stage 1A, grade 3. This is the first time I've heard about this treatment variation. Wonder if there are some advantges? I'll be interested in what you find out. It's been not quite 2 weeks since I finished the brachytherapy and the only effects I've noticed is a minor burning sensation from time to time and feeling pretty tired for a while.

If all things are equal, I don't understand why they are opting for low dose.  I had it and it was the worst experience of my life, much worse than surgery and chemo.  I'm not a wuss and  I'm good at solitude and entertaining myself so I thought it would be ok.  I took books, magazines, music, iPad, knitting, phone and, of course, the room had a tv.  I wasn't able to concentrate at all so the iPad, phone and music were the only helpful items.  I couldn't even manage the 30 deg elevation without the thing slipping so just used 2 pillows.  Lying on my side didn't work either.  I put a positioning pillow on each side and used them to cant myself slightly.  You sorta do that to eat with the tray next to you in the bed but I didn't eat much.  The food was low residue so you won't have a bm  and was very unappealing.  I didn't want to make staff come in any more than necessary so I kept my toothbrush and toothpaste within reach and brushed when I had my breakfast and after supper.  That's also when I asked for a towel and wet washcloth to wipe my face and hands.  Having no hair to deal with was a good thing.   I was already having problems staying asleep and used Ativan for that but it didn't help much.  I've never seen a clock move so slowly.  The second day I broke down and started taking  the prn Ativan I had ordered during the day ( something for me because I avoid pills as much as I can) and that made it bearable.  The last day I told the radiologist when he came in the am to not even think about being one minute late that afternoon.  Bless his heart, he was 5 minutes early.

I really thought long and hard about posting this because I don't want to upset you but finally decided that being honest and frank about our experiences is what this site is all about.  So, my advice is, make sure you have an Ativan order.

i do have a funny story.  They kept my bathroom door locked.  Someone once  forgot she was on bed rest and took herself to the toilet.  The cylinder fell out and they had to search the hospital plumbing to find it.  Oh, dear.

As I posted above, I too had the low dose brachytherapy in 1999, although only for two days, not three.  Admittedly, my memory has faded about the particulars, but I do recall quite a bit of anxiety towards the end of the treatment.  What's got me curious, though, is as Connie mentioned above, if all things are equal, why are they choosing to use the three-day, inpatient option?  At the time I was treated, I was not offered the high dose, outpatient option, but if it's true that all things are in fact equal, I would choose the shorter treatment option. 

Given my curiosity, I did a little research, first on the ACS website for endometrial cancer.  Here's what it says about the two types of brachytherapy:

• In LDR brachytherapy, the radiation devices are usually left in place for about 1 to 4 days. The patient needs to stay immobile to keep the radiation sources from moving during treatment, and so she is usually kept in the hospital overnight. Several treatments may be necessary. Because the patient has to stay immobile, this form of brachytherapy carries a risk of serious blood clots in the legs (called deep venous thrombosis or DVT). LDR is less commonly used now in this country.                                                                                                                                                                                     
  
• In HDR brachytherapy, the radiation is more intense. Each dose takes a very short time (usually less than an hour), and the patient can go home the same day. For endometrial cancer, HDR brachytherapy is often given weekly or even daily for at least 3 doses.           

I then looked for studies that compared the use of LDR to HDR in the treatment of endometrial cancer.  Interestingly, most of the studies I saw were on cervical cancer.  The following is an abstract of the only study I was able to find comparing the two types of brachytherapy for endometrial cancer:

Comparison of high-dose-rate and low-dose-rate brachytherapy in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma.

brissance said:

Talked to Doc/

First, let me apologize to Cindi, MoeKay, and Connie for not thanking you sooner for your info.  Connie you mentioned you were worried about posting...  I am glad you all did.  I would hate to think I made a critical decision without actually weighing all the information (that would make be eligible to run for political office...  another joke and non partisan.. it applies to all of them.)  I used your info and the info I followed up with on my own and had a great discussion with my Oncologist.  

He has worked at hospitals that only provided high dose, one that had high and low and one (this hospital) that can provide both as well as proton therapy (which can serve as a highly sophisticated HD radiation alternative).  He did tell me right off that he would help arrange high dose if after the discussion it was still my desire to seek high dose.  Here is a quick and probably not 100% perfect rendention of his reasoning.  (I wound up in the emergency room for 15 hours that day for a darn abscess of the perianal region and it was a fright.. but fine now.)  I have been enduring being the "butt" of my family's jokes.

The doctor agreed with most of my/our studies and I asked if a toss up why did he prefer low dose?  He stated that he felt I would have a "long" life after this bout.  He was concerned with after effects..  High dose has not been around that long 10 to 15 years to actually develop "good" information on the post treatment effects..  LD has been over 50 years and he feels that the "studies" are quite positive.  Low dose also allows for correction.  If there is a "movement" etc, in LD you can make a correction w/ minimal damage as it is monitored closely.  With HD, the dose is so strong that damage is usually more devastating when the accidents happen...  and I guess they do.  I told him my reading indicated that HD looked more accepted as a "best treatment" and also mention I had spoken to you guys...  

He did disagree w/ HD being more affective he believe medical studies "leaned" in favor of Low Dose.  The immobility, discomfort and blood clots were an issues.  He believed that all of these issues are outweighed by the positive of LD.  I am healthy (well, use to be), 1A with wash showing 5% UPSC and DVT concern will be very closely monitored.  He said it comes down to comfort v the most affective treatment.  He would recommend that his wife or his mother receive LD if the issues were the same.   So both he and my oncological Radiologist and the review board believe the most advantageous therapy for my circumstances will be LD.. but  if I want to change to HD, they will change the orders immediately.  My call.  Husband and I, unless other info is received, have opted for the LD..  I sure hope I am right as I do not have a lot of patience and will go crazy..   

He was honestly quite pleased that we had the conversation and I had facts not emotion.  He thought the idea of the discussion board was awesome.  He questioned me about it and it effects on me..  if it helped etc. 

So bottom line (no reference to my boil/abcess) I am continuing with Low Dose..  at least I am planning at this point.  I truly thank you guys for your input.  I am convinced that I am smart enough to be involved with my own treatment decisions and your experiences and knowledge are critical for an attempt to reach the best decision. Again thanks so much

Patty

I was wondering what the doctor's rationale was.  Good to hear that he was open to a discussion about it and willing to entertain another option if you desired.