Uterine Cancer Treatments: Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy), high-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells. The rays may come from a small container of radioactive material, called an implant, which is placed directly into or near the tumor site (internal radiation). It may also come from a large machine outside the body (external radiation). Some patients with uterine cancer need both internal and external radiation therapy. Like surgery, radiation therapy is a local therapy. It affects cancer cells only in the treated area. Radiation therapy may be used in addition to surgery to treat women with certain stages of uterine cancer. Radiation may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that remain in the area. Also, for a small number of women who cannot have surgery, radiation treatment is sometimes used instead.

In internal radiation therapy, tiny tubes containing a radioactive substance are inserted through the vagina and left in place for a few days. The patient is hospitalized during this treatment. Patients may not be able to have visitors or may have visitors only for a short period of time while the implant is in place. Once the implant is removed, there is no radioactivity in the body. External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic 5 days a week for several weeks. This schedule helps protect healthy cells and tissue by spreading out the total dose of radiation.

These are some questions a woman may want to ask the doctor before having radiation therapy:

• What is the goal of treatment?
• How will the radiation be given?
• When will the treatments begin? When will they end?
• How will I feel during therapy? Are there side effects?
• What can I do to take care of myself during therapy?
• How will we know if the radiation therapy is working?
• Will I be able to continue my normal activities during treatment?

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