Treatment FAQ

what is the surgical treatment for cervical cancer

by Norwood Koss MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Two types of procedures can be used to treat pre-cancers of the cervix: Ablation destroys cervical tissue with cold temperatures or with a laser rather than removing it. Excisional surgery (conization) cuts out and removes the pre-cancer.Jan 3, 2020

Medication

  • For surgery to remove precancerous growths, a portion of the cervix is generally enough. ...
  • For more locally advanced cervical tumors where surgery can not achieve cure alone, radiation therapy is preferred. ...
  • Chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting medication that not only sensitizes the cervical cancer cells to radiation and makes radiation work better. ...

Procedures

“This study provides a proof of concept of immunotherapeutic checkpoint inhibition in cervical cancer. If cemiplimab is approved, it will provide a second-line treatment option for women with recurrent cervical cancer,” Tewari said.

Therapy

VB10.16 is a potentially first-in-class off-the-shelf therapeutic HPV16 cancer vaccine designed to induce strong HPV16 specific T cell responses for the treatment of HPV16-positive cancers.

Nutrition

  • Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every 3 years.
  • For women aged 25 to 29, HPV testing alone can be considered, but Pap tests are also preferred.
  • Women between the ages of 30 and 65 can undergo a Pap test plus an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years or they can undergo a Pap test alone every ...

What is the best treatment for cervical cancer?

How do you cure cervical cancer?

How to cure cervical cancer?

What are the procedures for cervical cancer?

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What is the procedure to remove a cervix?

Pelvic Exenteration. If you’ve had cervical cancer that came back, your doctor may suggest this as a surgical option. They’ll remove your cervix, uterus, and surrounding organs and tissues. They’ll also remove nearby lymph nodes.

How to treat stage 0 cervical cancer?

Laser Surgery. This is performed in your doctor’s office or clinic and is usually reserved for stage 0 cervical cancer. Your doctor uses a laser beam to burn off the cancer cells on your cervix. They may also cut a small piece of tissue to examine in a lab. They’ll numb your cervix so you won’t have any pain.

How do you do a hysterectomy?

Surgeons perform hysterectomies in one of three ways: through a cut in the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy ); through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy); or with the help of robotic instruments (laparoscopic hysterectomy). You’ll have to stay in the hospital after your surgery.

How long does it take to recover from a uterus removal?

This results in less blood loss, and maybe a shorter hospital stay. Full recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks.

What is the procedure called when you have cancer on the edge of a cone?

They may also use a thin wire heated by electricity. This is called the loop electrosurgical excision procedure , or LEEP. They’ll look at your tissue sample under a microscope. If the edges of the cone have cancer cells, some of the cancer may have been left behind. Your doctor may then recommend chemo or radiation.

What is the name of the procedure to catch urine?

You may have to have a catheter. Or, they’ll attach a plastic bag to the front of your abdomen to catch urine, called a urostomy, or feces, called a colostomy. Your doctor can also create a new vagina from your skin, tissue from your intestines, or muscle or skin grafts.

Can you have children with cervical cancer?

If you have cervical cancer, there are a number of ways your doctor can treat your condition. Which one they recommend will depend on what type of cervical cancer you have, your age, and whether or not you might want to have children in the future. It will also depend on whether, or how far, the cancer has spread.

What are the treatments for cervical cancer?

Common types of treatments for cervical cancer include: Surgery for Cervical Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer. Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer. Targeted Therapy for Cervical Cancer. Immunotherapy for Cervical Cancer.

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

What are the best doctors for cancer?

Doctors on your cancer treatment team may include: 1 A gynecologist: a doctor who treats diseases of the female reproductive system 2 A gynecologic oncologist: a doctor who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system who can perform surgery and prescribe chemotherapy and other medicines 3 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer 4 A medical oncologist: a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat cancer

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

What kind of doctor treats cancer?

Doctors on your cancer treatment team may include: A gynecologist: a doctor who treats diseases of the female reproductive system. A gynecologic on cologist: a doctor who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system who can perform surgery and prescribe chemotherapy and other medicines. A radiation on cologist: a doctor who uses radiation ...

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Who are the specialists involved in cancer care?

Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals. Health Professionals Associated with Cancer Care.

How to treat cervical cancer?

Stage IVB cervical cancer is not usually considered curable. Treatment options include radiation therapy with or without chemo to try to slow the growth of the cancer or help relieve symptoms . Most standard chemo regimens include a platinum drug (cisplatin or carboplatin) along with another drug such as paclitaxel (Taxol), gemcitabine (Gemzar), or topotecan. The targeted drug bevacizumab (Avastin) may be added to chemo or immunotherapy alone with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) may also be an option.

What is the best treatment for pelvic cancer?

If the cancer has recurred in the center of the pelvis only, extensive surgery (s uch as pelvic exenteration) may be an option for some patients, and offers the best chance for possibly curing the cancer (although it can have major side effects). Radiation therapy (sometimes along with chemo) might be another option.

What is the treatment for a tumor that has grown into blood vessels?

If the cancer has grown into blood or lymph vessels, one treatment option is a cone biopsy (with negative margins) with removal of pelvic lymph nodes. Another option is a radical trachelectomy along with removal of the pelvic lymph nodes.

What is the best treatment for cancer after birth?

Surgery options after birth for early-stage cancers include a hysterectomy, radical trachelectomy, or a cone biopsy. If the cancer is stage IB or higher, then you and your doctor must decide whether to continue the pregnancy. If not, treatment would be radical hysterectomy and/or radiation. Sometimes chemotherapy can be given during ...

What is the goal of cancer treatment?

No matter which type of treatment your doctor recommends, it's important that you understand the goal of treatment (to try to cure the cancer, control its growth, or relieve symptoms ), as well as its possible side effects and limitations.

What is the procedure for a woman who wants to have children after cancer?

A cone biopsy is the preferred procedure for women who want to have children after the cancer is treated. If the edges of the cone don’t contain cancer cells (called negative margins), the woman can be watched closely without further treatment as long as the cancer doesn’t come back. If the edges of the cone biopsy have cancer cells (called ...

What is the most important factor in choosing a cancer treatment?

The stage of a cervical cancer is the most important factor in choosing treatment. But other factors can also affect your treatment options, including the exact location of the cancer within the cervix, the type of cancer (squamous cell or adenocarcinoma), your age and overall health, and whether you want to have children.

How to treat cervical cancer during pregnancy?

Treatment of cervical cancer during pregnancy depends on the stage of the cancer and how long the patient has been pregnant. A biopsy and imaging tests may be done to determine the stage of the disease. To avoid exposing the fetus to radiation, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is used.

Where does cervical cancer form?

Cervical cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). The cervix leads from the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Anatomy of the female reproductive system.

How big is stage 2 cervical cancer?

Stage II cervical cancer. In stages IIA1 and IIA2, cancer has spread from the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina but has not spread to the tissue around the uterus. In stage IIA1, the cancer is 4 centimeters or smaller. In stage IIA2, the cancer is larger than 4 centimeters.

What is the purpose of DNA and RNA in a cervical Pap test?

Cells are collected from the cervix and DNA or RNA from the cells is checked to find out if an infection is caused by a type of HPV that is linked to cervical cancer. This test may be done using the sample of cells removed during a Pap test.

What is the risk factor for cervical cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for cervical cancer. Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer.

What is the procedure to remove abnormal cells from a Pap test?

Biopsy: If abnormal cells are found in a Pap test, the doctor may do a biopsy. A sample of tissue is cut from the cervix and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. A biopsy that removes only a small amount of tissue is usually done in the doctor’s office.

How does chemo work?

When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle , the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body ( systemic chemotherapy ). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas ( regional chemotherapy ). The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

What is the test for cervical cancer?

A Pap test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix, including cancer cells and cells that show changes that increase the risk of cervical cancer. HPV DNA test.

What tests are done to determine if you have cervical cancer?

Your cancer's stage is a key factor in deciding on your treatment. Staging exams include: Imaging tests.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support that complements your ongoing care.

What tests can be done to check if you have cancer?

Tests such as X-ray, CT, MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) help your doctor determine whether your cancer has spread beyond your cervix. Visual examination of your bladder and rectum. Your doctor may use special scopes to see inside your bladder and rectum.

Can you get pregnant with cervical cancer?

A hysterectomy can cure early-stage cervical cancer and prevent recurrence. But removing the uterus makes it impossible to become pregnant.

Can you remove cancer from a small cervix?

Surgery to cut away the cancer only. For a very small cervical cancer, it might be possible to remove the cancer entirely with a cone biopsy. This procedure involves cutting away a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue, but leaving the rest of the cervix intact.

Can you use chemotherapy for cervical cancer?

Sometimes both methods are used. For locally advanced cervical cancer, low doses of chemotherapy are often combined with radiation therapy, since chemotherapy may enhance the effects of the radiation . Higher doses of chemotherapy might be recommended to help control symptoms of very advanced cancer.

How to give a systemic treatment for cervical cancer?

Common ways to give systemic therapies include an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or in a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). The types of systemic therapies used for cervical cancer include: Chemotherapy. Targeted therapy.

What is standard of care for cervical cancer?

This section explains the types of treatments that are the standard of care for cervical cancer. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. Clinical trials may also be an option for you, which is something you can discuss with your doctor.

What is the procedure to remove the uterus after hysterectomy?

This procedure has become an acceptable alternative to a hysterectomy for some patients. Exenteration. The removal of the uterus, vagina, lower colon, rectum, or bladder if cervical cancer has spread to these organs after radiation therapy (see below). Exenteration is rarely recommended.

What is the procedure for removing a tumor?

For cervical cancer that has not spread beyond the cervix, these procedures are often used: Conization.

What is the goal of radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy?

The goal of radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy is to increase the effectiveness of the radiation treatment. This combination is given to control the cancer in the pelvis with the goal of curing the cancer without surgery. It may also be given to destroy microscopic cancer that might remain after surgery.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells and limits damage to healthy cells.#N#Not all tumors have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, your doctor may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in your tumor. This helps doctors better match each patient with the most effective treatment whenever possible. In addition, research studies continue to find out more about specific molecular targets and new treatments directed at them. Learn more about the basics of targeted treatments.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Radiation therapy . Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy may be given alone, before surgery, or instead of surgery to shrink the tumor.

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for cervical cancers. Sometimes you'll get chemotherapy or radiation to shrink the tumor before surgery, or to kill cancer cells that remain afterward. The type of surgery you have depends on how large the cancer has grown and whether it has spread.

Radiation

Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. You might get radiation before or after surgery, or if your cancer has spread beyond your cervix.

Chemotherapy

In “chemo,” drugs are used to kill or slow the growth of cervical cancer cells. You'll usually get chemo through an IV.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that kill cancer cells but spare healthy cells. For example, bevacizumab ( Avastin) is a drug that stops new blood vessels from forming. This can slow down tumor growth in advanced cervical cancer, because tumors need new blood vessels for nourishment. Doctors often use targeted therapy with chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to stimulate a person’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Immunotherapy can be used to treat cervical cancer that has spread or come back (recurred).

Clinical Trials

If you've tried a few treatments and they didn't work, or the cancer has spread, ask your doctor about a clinical trial. These test new treatments to see if they’re safe and if they work. They’re often ways for people to try new medicines or therapies that aren’t available to everyone.

How Can I Feel Better During Cervical Cancer Treatment?

You’re probably so focused on getting well, you hardly have time to think about how to ease the side effects from your treatments like hair loss or changes in your appetite. But there are things you can do that can help you feel better.

Chemoradiation

You may be offered chemoradiation for recurrent cervical cancer. Chemotherapy is given during the same time period as radiation therapy to make the radiation therapy more effective. 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil, 5-FU) plus cisplatin or mitomycin (Mutamycin) or other chemotherapy drugs may be used.

Radiation therapy

You may be offered radiation therapy for recurrent cervical cancer. Radiation therapy may be external radiation therapy, brachytherapy or both. For recurrent cervical cancer, radiation therapy is often given with chemotherapy, but in some cases it may be used alone as the main treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be offered for recurrent cervical cancer to relieve pain or control the symptoms of advanced cervical cancer.

Targeted therapy

You may be offered targeted therapy for recurrent cervical cancer. The most common targeted therapy drug used to treat cervical cancer is bevacizumab (Avastin). It is usually given in combination with chemotherapy.

Surgery

You may be offered one of the following types of surgery for recurrent cervical cancer.

Clinical trials

Talk to your doctor about clinical trials open to women with cervical cancer in Canada. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. Find out more about clinical trials.

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