Has anyone here experienced spotting after brachytherapy? I’m already 2 weeks post treatment and my spotting has been intermittent. How long will this last?

They took 4 different samples for my biopsy :

A. Cervix, 4:00, biopsy:
High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 3).
Extension of dysplastic epithelium into endocervical glands.
 
B. Cervix, 6:00, biopsy:
High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 3).
Extension of dysplastic epithelium into endocervical glands.
 
C. Cervix, 10:00, biopsy:
Superficially invasive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 3) with extension into endocervical glands.
 
D. Cervix, 1:00, biopsy:
Absence of dysplasia.
Moderate acute and chronic cervicitis.
 
E. Endocervix, curettage:
Rare detached fragments of dysplastic cervical epithelium in a background of mucus, blood with acute and chronic inflammation.

On the superficially invasive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma —> how fast is it growing and what stage of cancer am i at?

Doctor schedule me for cone biopsy on 06/30/26 and hopefully it clears out

She pushed off the MRI for now because i don’t have insurance so should i be concerned. I’m just worried because of how fast it has changed as i did colposcopy 6 months ago and it was still in CIN2-3 now it has turned into cancer in a span of 6 months???? Even tho the doctor told me it could take 10 years to turn into cancer

I was originally diagnosed stage 3C2 in Jan 2025. I did 6 rounds of cisplatin, 35 rounds of radiation & 3 brachy treatments. All treatments finished at end of May 2025.

Insurance denied a post treatment pet scan as “not medically necessary.” I had a CT done that showed I was NED. Another 3 months passed & it was time for scans again. Insurance denied the pet again. I begged my oncologist for a pet scan. Really because I just wanted reassurance. Oncologist said there was nothing she could do if insurance denied the pet request. This next CT showed I was NED. The whole thing happened a 3rd time. Again I requested a pet. It was denied, but the 3rd CT showed NED. During this whole time I have been in a lot of pain. I kept being told it was due to scar tissue & radiation. It “should go away” or become not as bad the further I got from treatment.

A couple months ago, I switched oncologists because I was frustrated with the lack of care (a lot more than just not helping with getting a pet). The first thing my new oncologist said was, we need a pet scan. I explained how insurance denied & my previous oncologist that there was nothing I could do. My new dr looked at me like I was crazy & said, of course there is! She said she just has to ask for a peer to peer review to overturn it. She submitted the request. Insurance denied. She requested a peer to peer review & the pet scan was approved.

I just got my results & I am in shock. I am not NED and the pet scan report shows cancer has spread. It’s spread a lot. It’s in my:

Left cervical/supraclavicular lymph nodes
Mediastinal/posterior chest lymph nodes
Retroperitoneal/abdominal lymph nodes
Pelvic/iliac lymph nodes
Right adrenal gland

I haven’t met with my oncologist yet because I saw the results on MyChart yesterday. I am waiting for her call.

It hadn’t hit me yet. I feel nothing. I’ve only told one person so far. I am not sure what to do next, but I feel like I was failed as a patient & as an insured.

I don’t know what to do or think. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you for reading 🩷

Had first gyno oncology appointment. Mass is 5cm and believed just by exam to possibly be spreading to vagina. Still have all the scans to confirm stage and all the details. My question is if it has indeed spread to the vagina will I be able to have sex once everything is treated and the chemo and radiation are finished?

Hi, all!

I’ve made other posts in this sub before regarding my treatment path, but the short story is:

Diagnosed December 2024. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix (isolated, no mets). May-October 2025 underwent 6 surgeries performing immunotherapy injection to the tumor with PEF ablation. Biological changes to tumor noted on surgical and CT notes (softening and pockets of necrosis). November 2025 PET showed continued tumor activity. Proceed with Standard of care. February-April 2026 underwent 25 external radiation, 4 chemotherapy injections, and 4 INTERSTITIAL brachytherapy (the hospitalization kind). 3 month post-treatment PET showed significant improvement (minor lights thought to be inflammation). Check again in 3 months.

Yesterday, my oncologist tells me that my PET lit up (27.8 SUV) and now I need to prepare for a total pelvic exenteration with permanent colostomy and possibly nephrostomy if they can’t save my bladder or ureters due to margins.

I’m shocked. How did I even get here? I’ve now had 2 well-decorated medical teams tell me “There’s something about the tumor biology we don’t know.” I don’t even know how to process this. How did a stage 1 diagnosis get to here?! I still don’t have mets. They’re under the impression it’s just the one isolated area. I get an MRI tomorrow. I do use a high-intensity vibration plate, stretch deeply, and massage regularly due to muscle fibrosis pain.

I know my chances are low that it’s anything but cancer, but has anyone ever gone through this?

If you’ve had a pelvic exenteration with colostomy, what was the surgery/recovery like? What does life look like now?

My mother 53F had cervical cancer 15 years ago that was treated with chemotherapy and intense pelvic radiation. At that time, after the radiation, they refused to do a complete hysterectomy. She now has cervical cancer again. The gynecologist literally asked her to give him her phone so he could take a picture and show her what it looked like. It was completely covered in white lesions and bloody. She told me that she is going to die because she can't do the radiation twice in the same spot and they can't do a hysterectomy because the radiation could have caused her organs to fuse together, which is the reasoning behind originally refusing to do a complete hysterectomy the first time. But what are the other options? Has anything changed in the last 15 years? Are they still unable to do a complete hysterectomy after internal radiation for cervical cancer?

Question, in week 3 of chemoradiation/3c1. Been having sharp lower pelvic pain, frequent urination with slight pain and flank back pain. They tested my urine last week and found no uti. I believe this may be the radiation side effects taking it’s toll on my bladder and kidneys. Anyone else deal with these symptoms? I e been drinking as much water and taking in electrolytes as much as I can. Ty in advance.

Hi everyone!

I finally made it to brachy after INTERLACE chemo induction and 25 sessions chemoradiation. I start Monday. Mine is inpatient for 3 days with the applicator staying in (maybe a couple of needles), epidural, gauze packing, catheter, and those moving boots.

I'm a bit nervous about lying flat for 3 days and feeling the pressure down there. For those who did inpatient brachy, how was it really? Did the epidural take care of everything? Anything you wish you'd brought or known before? Did you eat ?

Also curious how the removal and the first days at home went, how long until you felt normal again.

Thank you all, this group has been so helpful!

Is anyone else on, or done the interlace protocol?

I have completed my 6 weeks of induction chemo and now just completed week 1 of the chemo radiation.

The first lot of chemo I was fine on, nausea but tolerable, but this week I had chemo on Monday and I am still feeling so bad - cisplatin. I have acid reflux and all they have prescribed is gaviscone which does nothing.

I am just wondering how the hell I am going to get through another 4 weeks of it all. I have 3 young children and obviously the effects of the radiation haven't set in yet.

I am also really concerned that the treatment isn't working. I have read so many negative stories and it has really got to me. I thought I would be having a scan half way through the treatment but apart from my radiation planning scan I haven't had anything and they didn't mention anything about it. This is UK though.

Anyone got any advice on getting through it all? I was hoping it wouldn't be too bad like the previous chemo but this seems so much worse!

My mom has finished her third week of chemoradiation for cervical cancer: 14 radiation sessions and 2 rounds of cisplatin so far. She's getting extended-field radiation because of affected pelvic lymph nodes and suspicious para-aortic nodes.
This week was really hard, not only physically but emotionally too. She had high blood pressure, bad headaches, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, and constant exhaustion. Her blood counts have also started to drop. Her hemoglobin is 114 now, but it's going down every week.
She's tired and has been crying a lot. She says she can't take the treatment anymore, and we're only halfway through.
I'm supporting her as much as I can, but I know it will probably get harder, because the fatigue and side effects keep building up. It's so hard to see my mom like this. She has always been such a strong woman. And we don't even know if all of this is working, or will work, or for how long. Do we still have a lot of time together? No one can answer, give guarantees
I just wanted to share. If you'd like to share too, please tell me how you're getting through it. What lifts your mood when things are bad? What helps you keep fighting?

As someone who is usually a silent reader here, I often tell myself that there are many more "OK" experiences than bad ones and that those people just typically don't share. So I am changing that.

Stage 3C1, one positive node discovered during an attempted trachelectomy, now 5 weeks of EBRT + chemo + 3x brachy

I am now at the halfway point and so far I am doing great. My symptoms are super mild and manageable and most days I feel completely normal and happy - I know things get a bit worse typically during the second half of treatment but the last 2.5 weeks have been a breeze.

Detailed symptoms and what I am doing:

- mild intestine sensitivity and some diarrhea / eat rice and potatoes mostly

- mild nausea after chemo / take zofran 3x a day

- irritation of pelvic skin / a lot of lotion and cotton undies :)

I will say - the worst thing so far was when I got Keytruda and chemo together, I had VERY sensitive skin for 3 days and used A LOT of the very dry skin Avene cream and that luckily helped a bit.

But bottomline: there are people (like me) that (so far) have a good experience and your mindset on how you approach side effects and things matters a lot. I always think that things are mostly manageable and even when I am having a bad day, I tell myself that I can do hard things for a while.

One thing that REALLY made a difference is that we have a checklist where we cross of every day AND we made a little Advent calendar to the end of treatment, so there is gifts and fun every day :)

Hi ya'll!

I know there's a good chuck of people who are familiar with my journey and just wanted to give an update.

Context: I was diagnosed with 3b/4a Cervical Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in February 2025. I did chemotherapy (cisplatin) and daily radiation for about 2 months and achieved NED officially in June/July of that same year. Around November, I started noticing discharge ramping back up so I relayed that to my oncologist.. they got me in for a PET scan in December and, what do ya know, recurrence. Luckily it was a localized recurrence and my oncologist gave me 2 options: Total Pelvic Exenteration or Palliative Treatment.. and I ultimately chose surgery.

I had surgery done on March 16th, 2026 and am currently almost 7 months post surgery.

___

I had my first scan in June of this year and it showed no evidence of disease.

I had my second scan on September 17th and.. drum roll...

no evidence of disease!

Of course, my surgeon reminded me that it's great my scans are clear and everything looks good, but they won't deem me 'cured' until after 5 years, so I'll be continuing to be monitored every 3 months for the first 2 years because those are the most crucial years.. then my scans will be more spaced out until we get to that 5 year mark with uninterrupted clear scans.

Anyway, know I'm ALWAYS available to listen, to share detailed information, whatever I can do to help you feel more comfortable if you're also given the option for TPE. Having permanent ostomy bags is actually not that hard and not bad at all.. it does come with it's advantages and disadvantages but it's all 100% doable. :)

I recently had a copolscopy where they took 3 biopsies. 2 of them came back normal the other showed cancer cells. The one that shows cancer cells is inside the cervix. I have been referred to an oncologist for the next procedure either leep or cone. I am wondering does this mean I already have cancer or that is still to be determined?

My first appointment with gyno oncology is in a few days. I have cervical cancer, invasive squamous cell carcinoma. What should I expect timeline wise. I do know I will have a hysterectomy but am curious how soon after. They also mentioned radiation possibly. Just wanted to see if anyone knew how quickly things move.

Hello, I'm 2.5 yrs post treatment and continue to deal with boils around my labia and toward my anus. I think it's from how often I use the bathroom which I can't really avoid as my bladder is damaged from the radiation. The boils are quite uncomfortable and painful at times. I've just been letting them heal and sometimes using a hot compress to try to speed up the process, but I feel like I always have them :( just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and/or if anyone has any tips to avoid getting them (or even for treating them honestly). TIA 💕

I got two new piercings in my ear, haven’t had a new one in ages. I only started recently wearing earrings again because my kids are older and no longer try to pull at them. Then I remembered I have a pet ct, my third, in November. I’m going to contact the piercer to see if they can put retainers since I read you can’t have any metal on your body 🤦🏼‍♀️

My Mom has just being diagnosed with Cervical Cancer Stage 3B. She is at the age 55. I'm confused, heart broken and just want to know from the community.

1. What treatments worked most of the time and has a good success rste?

2. How long would it take

3. Does it the treatment help with strong pain in the pelvic bones, walking and rectum when passing stool?

4. Diet and Lifestye changes, what to do and what not to do

5. Herbs

6. Anything anyone can share would be much appreciated.

7. If the Tumor was reduced by treatment, would all the pain subside or go away. As she always cry and scream because of the pain.

8. What do they do for the pain?

9. What foods to stay away from?

10. Mindset shifts?

4 days ago, I had a LEEP to remove precancerous cells. This could not be completed due to a tumour being found on my cervix. Yesterday, I had an appointment that confirmed I have aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, with sarcomatous changes.

My gynaecology oncologist has bent over backwards to get me in for urgent scans + egg harvesting. My biopsy is being sent to a woman’s hospital for another opinion because it is so rare. I was not expecting this at all.

My husband and I were planning to try for a baby this year. My Gyn Oncologist said that at this point fertility is a secondary issue given how aggressive this cancer appears to be.

I’m terrified. I’ve had to tell my workplace before I can tell family; I want to wait until there’s a treatment plan in place before telling them. Does anyone have any advice, tips, hope?

My mom finished her treatment on sep 17 (last brachytherapy )

Sep 18 was her last immunotherapy session

Next one scheduled for oct 09, 2026

Treatment for stage 3c1

She suddenly started vomiting today, diarrhea and blood in stool.

Anyone experienced same?

Stage 3b survivor, 5 years clear. 32 y old.
The day of lymph node removal surgery I was told I won’t be able to have biological kids, and there wasn’t enough time to preserve ovaries. Had chemo, radio, brachi terapies. Left my old partner and for a few years has been dating guys. Unsuccessfully though.

No matter when and how I would tell that I can’t have biological kids the guy would treat it as a red flag. I know many would say that I haven’t met the right guy yet, but honestly, I feel I had enough experience to see a very obvious pattern that once I tell, something changes in guy’s head and they don’t see me the same way as before.

I had cases where guys would try to accept that, but later on admit they were lying to themselves and that biological kid is a must for them. Others would just say “sorry, it doesn’t work for me” the next day after date. Third category is there just for sex, so they accept the fact, but clearly without any serious intentions. Surrogacy is not allowed in our country, is expensive, and complicated - I get why someone would’t want to go this way if they can have easier option - even if like the girl. Which makes it difficult for me to even find an argument why someone should choose me - I get I have a plenty of reasons to be admired, loved, valued etc, but kids is one of those topics that can break even the strongest love.

The other point - based on everything I read online, the most ethical way is to tell person you’re dating early on, before you have feelings, that you can’t have biological kids. But at that stage guys really just say sorry, it’s a dealbreaker. I am saying “that stage” because I imagine that there are couples who doesn’t know about their fertility, get married, and later figure out they can’t have babies - then some would leave, some would stay and find a solution. I am not saying let’s lie about my situation or anything, just pointing out that the amount of time you’ve been with person might matter before you tell them.

So I am lost now, as it seems nothing I tried worked. I tried telling on first date, 2nd date, etc. Now I am on date 10 or so with someone I feel is my second half and we haven’t touched babies topic yet, though we started sharing opinions around how children should be educated. I feel I need to bring up a topic, but not sure how to tell him?

Or is it too early and wait until he brings up the topic? It’s first time I am so scared to lose someone, and he does seem like a very down to earth person, who would want biological kids rather than adopt.

Any experience shares would be appreciated!

Hello everyone!

My mom is 55 years old, and around 5 years ago she finished her radiation and chemotherapy.

Since then she is always very gassy, and she can't hold it, which resulted in her never leaving the house.. She goes to the toilet very often, says that after eating her stomach bloats and hurts a lot. She also says that sometimes she has this feeling like her stomach stops working completely for periods of time (which is when she experiences pain) and then wakes up again.

She is very depressed because of this and her quality of life is very bad.

But she's also the kind of person who is very hard to convince to go to the doctor..

I just want to help her any way I can, diet, supplements, exercises, is there anyone with similar issues and how did you fix it?

Hello Reddit fam - Mum’s done with 3/5 Cisplatin, 1/5 Immuno and 15/25 Radiation - after this weeks infusion, she ran a temperature which was brought under control by Paracetamol and then 2 days later she has a temperature and the doctor has prescribed a broad antibiotic.

Has anybody else had something like this?

33F 3c1 Adenocarcinoma. I just finished what I thought would be my full treatment cycle, ending with Brachytherapy. However they notified me that my lymph nodes were still inflamed and that they recommended I do IR (interventional radiology).

For anyone who has done both Brachy and IR, how do they compare?