Brachytherapy treatment for gynaecological cancers



Brachytherapy treatment for gynaecological cancersThis booklet will help you understand what will happen when you come to Velindre hospital to have brachytherapy treatment.The booklet will explain how your treatment is planned and given. It will discuss side effects you may have and will tell you how to get more information and support. Contact telephone numbers are given at the end of the leaflet.We hope this answers your questions. Please ask us if you have other questions that we have not covered.Please bring a list of all the medication you are taking every time you come to Velindre.Smoking is not allowed within the grounds and inside Velindre Hospital. If you need help giving up please ask us.This information is evidence based and reviewed annuallyContentsPageIntroduction1What is brachytherapy?3Radiotherapy team3Transport arrangements4Starting treatment4At your first appointment5During treatment6Side effects7Late side effects 8Finishing treatment8Having sex during and after treatment9 Contact numbers11Helplines and websites12What is brachytherapy treatment?Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy treatment. It uses a radioactive source, which is placed close to a tumour or tumour bed. The machine that gives the treatment is called a microselectron. Brachytherapy damages tumour cells in the part of your body being treated. This stops the tumour cells dividing properly, so they are destroyed. It can give a high dose of radiation which can destroy cancer cells without giving a high dose of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. Any normal cells in the treated area are also affected, but unlike cancer cells, they will recover. The radiotherapy team who will look after youThe doctor responsible for your care is called a Clinical Oncologist. He or she, or one of their team will prescribe your radiotherapy treatment. The therapeutic radiographers will give you your treatment.Velindre is a teaching hospital so your team may include a student radiographer, student nurse or a medical student. Please tell us if you don’t want a student present. We will ask your name, address and date of birth every time you come for your radiotherapy treatment. This is because our staff are trained to double check your personal details to avoid any confusion.Review radiographers are available to provide information and advice to you and your family. You or your family can speak to them by telephone or ask to see them during your treatment (their number is on page 11).How many treatments will I need? Your brachytherapy treatment will usually be given once a week for three treatments. You may start your treatment on any day of the week. Treatment is given to you as an out patient, so you can go home after treatment. Transport to and from VelindreHospital transport is available but most people use their own transport. If you decide that you would like to use hospital transport, please give us as much notice as possible to arrange this for you. There is a high demand for transport so you will need to be prepared to wait for some time to be picked up and taken home. Some local support groups can also arrange transport (see contact numbers on page 11). Also patients on particular benefits can claim travelling expenses, please ask when you come for your treatment.Starting treatment One of the radiographers will see you during your outpatient appointment to arrange your first treatment. We will give you a card with the rest of your appointment times when you come for your first treatment.Please let us know if there is any time that you would be unable to come for treatment. We will take this in to account when we book your treatment. Please tell us if you have any special needs that may affect your appointments such as: needing transporthaving any other treatment (chemotherapy for example)If you are unable to come for your treatment for any reason, please ring the hospital and ask for your treatment machine. The number will be written on your appointment card. One of the treatment radiographers will speak to you and advise you.At your first radiotherapy treatment appointmentWhen you come for your first treatment, please come to the out patient entrance. This is at the front of the hospital. Please go to main out patient reception desk and give your name in. The receptionist will let your radiographers know you have arrived. Before the treatment starts one of your treatment radiographers will go through the treatment and the possible side effects. They will check all your appointments have been made. Most people feel anxious at this time so please ask any questions you have. We will do our best to put your mind at rest.During your radiotherapy treatmentThis internal treatment is given directly into your vagina. The treatment room where you will have your treatment is screened off for your privacy. On your first day the radiographer will ask you to remove your underwear and tights and lay on a couch. You will need to have an internal examination by your doctor or radiographer to decide the correct tube size for you. Tube Diagram of where the tube will be insertedOnce the tube is in place in your vagina, it will be attached to the treatment machine. Your radiographers have to leave the treatment room to turn the machine on but they are watching you all the time on television cameras. When the treatment machine is switched on the radioactive source will travel from the machine through the cables into the tube in your vagina. If you need your radiographer, wave your hand and they can switch the machine off and come in to you, and restart when you are comfortable. The treatment itself takes only a few minutes and is painless. When the treatment is finished the source goes back in to the treatment machine.What happens when the treatment is finished?When the machine is switched off, your radiographer comes into the room. They will gently take the tube out. The whole treatment will take about 15 minutes.Side effects of brachytherapyTiredness and fatigueYou may need to rest during the day. It is best not to fight this feeling of tiredness. Just do as much as you feel able. Light exercise such as walking can be helpful in coping with fatigue.DiarrhoeaThis treatment may cause diarrhoea. We will advise changes to your diet or give you tablets to help this. We may refer you to the dietitian if necessary.CystitisBrachytherapy may irritate the lining of your bladder. This can make you feel you need to pass urine more often and it can burn. We will ask you to drink more water than usual to help keep your urine dilute. If the burning persists, your radiographers may need to send a specimen of your urine to be checked for an infection.Vaginal dryness, narrowing and shorteningThis may happen due to scar tissue developing in your vagina. Your vagina will also become less stretchy. This may make sex uncomfortable. Your radiographers will offer advice to improve this side effect. Late side effects Rarely, your radiotherapy treatment can cause side effects months or even years later. Although this is uncommon, it may cause symptoms such as: Diarrhoea Cystitis Bleeding from your bladder, vagina or rectum (back passage)If you have suffered from piles (haemorrhoids) in the past, the radiotherapy can irritate or may cause them to recur Possible reduction in sexual sensation. Please ask your doctor or radiographer if you want any more information about this. Please remember, you should always ask your doctor for advice if you are suffering from any effects like these, even if it is a long time since your radiotherapy treatment.Finishing your treatmentOn your last day of treatment, your treatment radiographers will give you treatment side effects advice.They will ask you if you would like to use dilators. These are plastic tubes of different sizes which you put into your vagina, as far as is comfortable for you, turn gently and take out. You use them for 5-10 minutes, three times a week in the privacy of your own home. They are used to stretch the vagina and break down any scar tissue. We will tell you how long you need to use them. If you are having sex once or twice a week, you can use the dilator less often. See page 10 for advice about having sex during your treatment.We will give you an appointment for a follow up at a clinic with your doctor. This will be 6 - 8 weeks after you have finished your treatment. At this appointment, your doctor will give you a gentle vaginal examination. You may also have blood test. Follow up appointments in the future may also include a vaginal examination and a CT scan.Contact details will be on this form. If you are worried about anything to do with your treatment please ring and speak to the radiographers for advice. At your follow up appointment, please ask any questions you may have and talk about any worries about your treatment and recovery.Having sex during and after treatmentTreatment can cause vaginal dryness and scar tissue to form which narrows and shortens the vagina. Using a water soluble lubricant during sex and when using a dilator will moisten your vagina and help your comfort. Some women feel able to continue having sex during treatment. Others will feel too uncomfortable and not be ready. Everyone is different. If you are wondering whether having sex would cause a problem during your radiotherapy treatment, please ask your doctor or radiographer for advice. Each woman is individual and will need her own advice.Don’t worry if you notice slight bleeding or spotting after sex. However, if bleeding is heavy or persists, please ask your doctor or radiographer for advice.Resuming sex as soon as possible may help to improve the reduction in sexual sensation.If you would like more information on sexuality issues caused by cancer please contact the review team or national charities listed on page 12.Contact phone numbersVelindre Hospital029 2061 5888Radiotherapy booking clerks 029 2019 6836Review Radiographers 029 2061 5888 ext 6421Brachytherapy Radiographers 029 2061 5888 ext 2274/6261Transport from AberdareCancer Support Cynon Valley01443 479369Transport from BridgendSandville01656 743344 Transport from MerthyrCancer Aid Merthyr01685 379633Transport from Upper Rhymney Valley CLURV, Bargoed01443 839326Helplines and websitesTenovusHelpline: 0808 808 1010 Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm (answer machine and minicom available)Website: Macmillan cancer supportHelpline: 0808 800 0000 Mon – Fri 9am – 8pm Textphone: 0808 808 0121Email: cancerline@.uk Website: .uk The Sexual Dysfunction Association Helpline:0870 774 3571Email: info@sda. Website:sda.Stop Smoking Wales0800 085 2219F.PI 24aIssue 3March 2017 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download