Pelvic Radiation Side Effects After Hysterectomy for Gynecologic (GYN) Cancer

Many HysterSisters report a variety of side effects, most of them quite tolerable, after receiving pelvic radiation treatments. These side effects include dry skin, bowel changes, burning sensation with urination, mild fatigue, and vaginal dryness. Effects vary from patient to patient, based on the type and number of radiation treatments prescribed. There are both external and internal radiation treatments, for example, and your doctor may or may not recommend chemotherapy in addition to radiation. Your doctor’s recommendation will depend on what stage your cancer had reached at the time of your hysterectomy and how aggressive you and your doctor want to be in your ongoing preventive treatment.

Most doctors, and HysterSisters as well, will strongly recommend doing pelvic radiation treatment after a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer, just to be sure no stray cancer cells are left behind in the pelvis to grow new tumors. Few women find the side effects of pelvic radiation to be worse than the possibility of their cancer recurring.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support. Reprinted with permission: Pelvic Radiation Side Effects After Hysterectomy for Gynecologic (GYN) Cancer

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