Side effects of radiotherapy

[mckenzie]

According to one part of the Macmillan website, if they move the ovaries out of the way, then they should be fine.
But then later on the same page it says radiotherapy in the pelvic region will cause infertility.

??

They can't move the ovaries out of the way, they are inside the patient. It does cause skin burning also.

Actually, in some cases it is possible to surgically move ovaries so that they are not irradiated, although its unusual. I've only ever seen it done for children.

Having radiotherapy to your abdomen may well cause infertility for women, but it is not absolute.

Skin breakdown should not happen for abdominal radiotherapy. Most people recieving it will get diarhhea as a result of their intestine getting irradiated though, but this is short term and manageable.

thank you

Talk to your specialist nurse, or the radiotherapy department.
I can tell you about readiotherapy and Breast Cancer, but I don't think it will answer your questions.
They really really don't mind people asking - it's part of their remit.

thanks BFG. It's not for me but I will suggest that X asks her specialist nurse.

My understanding is that pelvic radiotherapy is far more likely to cause infertility in women over 35.

Pelvic radiotherapy usually does cause infertility and early menopause as the ovaries are very sensitive to radiation. Moving the ovaries higher in the abdomen (ovarian transposition) is sometimes possible but not always successful. However even if your ovaries have been moved it's unlikely that you'd be able to carry a child as the radiotherapy also causes scarring to the uterus. The main reason to move the ovaries is to prevent early menopause.

Please ask your friend to speak to her doctor about this. I agree the Macmillan webpage is a bit confusing.

thanks guys. She has now been told that the treatment will definitely cause early menopause. Life sucks sometimes doesn't it?