Side Effects Management of Endometrial Cancer

It helps to learn more about the side effects from your treatment(s) before you begin, so you will know what to expect. When you know more, you can work with your health care team to manage your quality of life during and after treatment.

There are effective and readily available medications to address traditional side effects from cancer treatment (such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation and mouth sores.) Also, as newer 'targeted therapies' become available, they tend to leave people with fewer traditional side effects.

Keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to treatment and experiences side effects differently. There are coping mechanisms and strategies that can help.

Side Effects from Endometrial Treatments

Surgery
Women who have a hysterectomy no longer have menstrual periods and can no longer get pregnant. When the ovaries are removed, menopause occurs at once. Hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause caused by surgery may be more severe than those caused by natural menopause. For some women, a hysterectomy can affect sexual intimacy.

Radiation Therapy
Side effects of radiation depend on dose and may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other problems with digestion. Some women may have dryness, itching, tightening, and burning in the vagina. Doctors may advise their patients not to have intercourse during radiation therapy.

Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy can cause a number of side effects. Women taking progesterone may retain fluid, have an increased appetite, and gain weight. Women who are still menstruating may have changes in their periods.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause side effects including fatigue, hair loss, neuropathy, anemia, low white blood cell counts (low counts in the cells that help you fight infection), low platelet count (low counts in the cells that help your blood clot).

Immunotherapy
Common side effects of PD-1 (checkpoint) inhibitors include fatigue, rash, itching and diarrhea. In rare instances, side effects can be severe. If you are on immunotherapy, it is important to let your health care team know of any change in how you are feeling.

Learn more about immunotherapy and its side effects.