Life after Cervical Cancer

[Burgandy1]

Hi all,

I hope someone can help me with some things I have going on since treatment.  I finished Chemo & Radiation treatment 6 months ago for stage 2b cervical cancer & since then have been having a very heavy watery discharge, Enough to SOAK a overnight pad at night. During the day it isnt as heavy but still pretty bad. But for the past 2 months ive had a Horrible smelly greenish yellow discharge that smells like sewage, One morning I woke up to a bright green discharge all over my underwear along with abdominal pain and lower back pain. I called my Dr who called me in a Clinamax for BV but couldnt finish it because it caused me to cramp so bad I was almost in tears & had me doubled over in pain. So I swiched to Flagyl, That I could take but the yellow smelly discharge is still there along with lower back pain.  Is this normal or do I have some kind of horrible infection.

I really dont understand why Im still having discharge at all because I was told that the discharge was from the tumor but if the Tumors gone then wheres it coming from ? And 6 month later ?  Now I have chest pains and Im bloated with gas and burping.. I think thats Stress tho. Did anyone else have anything like this ?

[Burgandy1]

Hi Dennie,

I was seen by a Obgyn-ong intern a few days ago.. He said the discharge was due to the cells dying and draining & the smell was from the dead cells and the green stuff wasnt a Infection but something coming from the Ulceration I now have on my cervix due to the Radiation.. Does this sound right to you ? Ive looked everywhere on the interenet for green cervical discharge & cant find anything that has to do with Radiation or Uncers.

[Dennis MD]

Hi Tina,
It’s great to know that you are cancer free.
The urinary tract infection (UTI) can be secondary to the genital tract infection you are experiencing.  Most of the time, the cause of UTI is an ascending infection from the genital tract.  
Radiation therapy, in general, affects also the normal tissues.  In your case, the genital tract was also irradiated during your cervical cancer treatment.  Secondary infection can develop, hence the development of foul-smelling vaginal discharge.  
You need to go back to your gyne oncologist for evaluation so that you can be given the proper treatment.
Take care.    

[Burgandy1]

Hi,

As of April-08  when I had my last CT, Their were no signs of Cancer &  My last Pap Smear in September ( Last Month ) was normal. YAY..:)  I felt great after my treatments were finished, Had alot of energy and just felt wonderful and no discharge . But a week or so after my pap smear I started feeling like I caught a bug or something . That lasted about a month, Thats also when the discharge stated back again and as the month went on the worse the discharge got & I just didnt feel good.  Now the discharge is Yellow instead of yellow/ Green & so heavy I wake up soaked in the mornings. And the Smell is still there.

I woke up Sunday with the Worst UTI  ever & am on Cipro for it.. Is the Discharge due to an Infection ?  Or is this normal for someone who had Radiation & Chemo ?

Thanks so much..

Tina

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
What is the status of your cervical cancer?  
Genitourinary tract infections are common in patients who underwent chemoradiation for cervical cancer.  The reason for this is the change in the normal genital tract flora after the treatment, which makes opportunistic organisms to proliferate.  
A culture and sensitivity testing of the vaginal discharge can be done.  This can guide the clinician on the best antimicrobial that is suitable for the condition.      
Hope this helps.