Special issues in radiotherapy

Wednesday 1 July, 2009

Reviewed: A/Prof Sidney Davis, Principal Specialist - William Buckland Radiotherapy Centre

On this page: Fertility | Contraception | Sexual intercourse and radiotherapy to the pelvic area | Taking part in a clinical trial

Fertility

Having radiotherapy near your reproductive organs could affect your fertility (your ability to have children naturally).

In women, radiotherapy to the pelvic area can cause periods to become irregular or stop. Some women's periods return to normal after treatment, but some don't and they become infertile.

In men, radiotherapy to an area which includes the testicles may affect sperm. This may be temporary or permanent. If you want to father a child, you may wish to have sperm stored in a medical centre before treatment starts. This would allow your partner to conceive through artificial insemination later. Discuss this with your doctor.

Contraception

It's still possible for many women to become pregnant while receiving radiotherapy. A man having radiotherapy could make his partner pregnant.

Women having radiotherapy or whose partners are having radiotherapy should not become pregnant. In a woman, radiotherapy may affect either her eggs (ova) before conception or her unborn child. Radiotherapy to an area close to a man's testicles may cause him to produce abnormal sperm.

If pregnancy is possible, you and your partner must use contraception or abstain from sex during radiotherapy and for at least 3 months after. Should you or your partner become pregnant, discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.

Sexual intercourse and radiotherapy to the pelvic area

Radiotherapy to the pelvic area can affect tissue so that sex becomes uncomfortable. You may lose your sexual desire. This is common and may only be short term.

In women, the vagina may feel dry, itchy or burning. If you have these problems, you should tell your doctor or nurse, as the symptoms can usually be relieved quickly and easily. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area can also cause a woman's vaginal tissue to shrink after treatment, making sex painful. Your doctor can advise you about using a dilator and vaginal lubricant.

Taking part in a clinical trial

You may consider taking part in a clinical trial.

Clinical trials are a vital part of the search to find better treatments for cancer. Doctors conduct clinical trials to test new or modified treatments and see if they're better than existing treatments. Many people all over the world have taken part in clinical trials that have resulted in improvements to cancer treatment. Taking part in a trial means that you may get access to a potentially beneficial new treatment before it is generally available. However, there are risks, and the decision to take part in a clinical trial is always yours.

If you decide to take part in a clinical trial, make sure that you fully understand the reasons for the trial and what it means for you. Before deciding whether or not to join the trial, you may wish to ask your doctor:

  • Which treatments are being tested and why?
  • Which tests are involved?
  • What are the possible risks or side effects?
  • What is the chance of benefit?
  • What extra is required of me over and above what would be needed on standard treatment? Will there be extra visits?
  • How long will the trial last? How long will the follow-up period be?
  • Will I need to go into hospital for treatment?
  • What will I do if any problems occur while I am in the trial?

If you decide to join a randomised clinical trial, you'll be given either the best existing treatment or a promising new treatment. You'll be allocated at random to receive one treatment or the other. In clinical trials, people's health and progress are carefully monitored.

If you do join a clinical trial, you have the right to withdraw at any time. Doing so will not affect your treatment for cancer.

It's always your decision to take part in a clinical trial. If you don't want to take part, your doctor will discuss the best current treatment choices with you.

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