Endometrial cancer is cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. The majority of cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed in women older than 50, and a woman has a 1 in 40 lifetime chance of being diagnosed with the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Various treatment options are used in treating endometrial cancer, including radiation therapy.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy for endometrial cancer involves placing a cylinder containing a radioactive substance into the vagina, according to the American Cancer Society. The radiation primarily affects the tissue closest to the cylinder, which means other organs such as the bladder are not as affected by the radiation. There are two types of brachytherapy for endometrial cancer: low-dose rate (LDR) and high-dose rate (HDR). In LDR, the radiation is typically left in for a day at a time and the patient stays in the hospital for a night or two, and in HDR, since the radiation is a higher dose, the patient can go home the same day. LDR is usually given for several treatments, and HDR is commonly given weekly for at least three weeks.
External Beam Radiation
This radiation is delivered by a machine that aims beams of radiation toward the body. This radiation is typically administered five days a week for four to six weeks, and each treatment takes approximately a half an hour.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Many people undergoing radiation therapy for endometrial cancer experience side effects such as fatigue, stomach upset or diarrhea. The diarrhea can typically be relieved with over-the-counter medication, although fatigue may increase during subsequent radiation treatments. The fatigue may be due to lowered red blood cell counts, which can lead to anemia. This usually subsides when treatment ends. If chemotherapy is administered alongside radiation, side effects tend to be more severe. The skin in the radiated area may look like a sunburn and become red or irritated; this may be temporary or remain darker than the skin on the rest of your body. Radiation cystitis might occur, which involves irritation of the bladder due to radiation and causes frequent urges to urinate and pelvic discomfort. Sometimes radiation to the pelvic area causes scarring in the vagina that can narrow the vagina, making intercourse painful. This can be relieved by using vaginal dilators or having frequent sexual intercourse.
