How does radiation help endometrial cancer after surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother is 60 and recently had surgery for endometrial cancer. The uterus was removed, and the doctor now suggested radiation therapy. We thought surgery was enough, so this confused us.

What is radiation for endometrial cancer after surgery?
Is it done to prevent cancer from coming back or to treat leftover disease?
How long does radiation usually last, and what side effects should we expect, like bladder or bowel problems?

She has been recovering slowly from surgery already. We just want to understand why radiation is needed and if it is really necessary in all cases.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

After surgery for endometrial cancer, radiation is sometimes advised, not because surgery failed, but to reduce the chance of cancer coming back. Radiation is given for the following situations:

Even after removing the uterus, microscopic cancer cells can remain (not visible in reports).
Radiation therapy helps destroy these cells. So yes, it is mainly preventive (adjuvant treatment).

It is usually done for three to five weeks (short daily sessions). Sometimes, only internal radiation (brachytherapy) for a few sessions, depending on the stage.

Common side effects (usually mild and temporary) of radiation therapy are:

Tiredness.
Mild burning while passing urine.
Loose motions or bowel irritation.
Vaginal dryness later.

Most patients tolerate it well, and side effects improve after treatment ends.

Radiation therapy is not necessary for everyone, and it depends on the following conditions:

The stage of your cancer.
Cancer grade or its aggressiveness.
Depth of invasion and spread.

If the doctor has advised it, it means her risk of recurrence is high enough to benefit from radiation. Radiation is extra protection after surgery to keep cancer from coming back. It is commonly recommended and generally safe.

I hope you find the answer helpful.

For more queries, feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Thank you.