Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for cervical cancer

by Garrett Bailey Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Cervical cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat cancers of a woman's reproductive system. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.

Medication

Jan 06, 2022 · External and internal radiation therapy are used to treat cervical cancer, and may also be used as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Chemotherapy . Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth

Procedures

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.

Therapy

Feb 22, 2022 · Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. Comprehensive cervical cancer control includes primary prevention (vaccination against HPV), secondary prevention (screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions), tertiary prevention (diagnosis and treatment of invasive cervical cancer) and palliative care.

Nutrition

Recommended treatment for cervical cancer is based on many factors including the stage of the disease, your age and general health, and if you want children in the future. The treatments for cervical cancer are radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and …

How do you cure cervical cancer?

Jan 15, 2022 · The primary treatment for cervical cancer with stage 1B1 or above is chemoradiation. During this, patients undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy simultaneously. It also helps remove other cancer cells left in the lymph nodes, blood vessels or tissue after the surgery. Radiation Therapy

What are some common methods of cervical cancer treatment?

Apr 02, 2022 · The most recommended form of treatment for stage 3 cervical cancer is a combination of radiation therapy and chemo. The chemo can either be completed using cisplatin or cisplatin plus fluorouracil. The radiation therapy will be a combination of external radiation beam and brachytherapy.

What is the natural diet for cervical cancer?

Jan 19, 2022 · Other treatments for cervical cancer may include one or more of the following: Chemoradiation, which is chemotherapy given along with radiation to help it work better Targeted therapy Immunotherapy

What is cervical cancer and how is it treated?

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What is the most common treatment for cervical cancer?

Common treatment approaches For the earliest stages of cervical cancer, either surgery or radiation combined with chemo may be used. For later stages, radiation combined with chemo is usually the main treatment. Chemo (by itself) is often used to treat advanced cervical cancer.

Can cervical cancer be cured completely?

Cervical cancer is generally viewed as treatable and curable, particularly if it is diagnosed when the cancer is in an early stage. This disease occurs in the cervix, or the passageway that joins the lower section of the uterus to the vagina.

What is the first treatment for cervical cancer?

Most early-stage cervical cancers are treated with a radical hysterectomy operation, which involves removing the cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and nearby lymph nodes. A hysterectomy can cure early-stage cervical cancer and prevent recurrence.Jun 17, 2021

What are the chances of surviving cervical cancer?

The 5-year survival rate for all people with cervical cancer is 66%. However, survival rates can vary by factors such as race, ethnicity, and age. For White women, the 5-year survival rate is 71%. For Black women, the 5-year survival rate is 58%.

Does cervical cancer spread quickly?

Usually, cervical cancer grows slowly, but sometimes it can develop and spread quickly. Cervical cancer is one of the cancers that can occur in young women.

Does hysterectomy cure cervical cancer?

Nearly half of cervical cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, meaning the tumors are small and have not spread beyond the cervix. Although there are other treatment options, radical hysterectomy is the most common treatment for early-stage disease, and cure rates for the disease are around 80%.May 25, 2021

What are the signs that cervical cancer has spread?

The most common places for cervical cancer to spread is to the lymph nodes, liver, lungs and bones....Symptoms if cancer has spread to the liverdiscomfort or pain on the right side of your abdomen.feeling sick.poor appetite and weight loss.swollen abdomen (called ascites)yellowing of the skin (jaundice)itchy skin.

Do you need chemo for Stage 1 cervical cancer?

Stage 1 cervical cancer is usually treated with: surgery. combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)

What are the symptoms of Stage 1 cervical cancer?

Signs and symptoms of stage 1 cervical cancer can include:Watery or bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and can have a foul odor.Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods or after menopause.Menstrual periods may be heavier and last longer than normal.Feb 17, 2022

What is the main cause of cervical cancer?

All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex.

How long can you live with untreated cervical cancer?

Survival for all stages of cervical cancer more than 60 out of every 100 (more than 60%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. more than 50 women out of every 100 (more than 50%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more after diagnosis.

What age does cervical cancer affect?

Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44 with the average age at diagnosis being 50 . It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age.Jan 12, 2022

What is the treatment for cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist —a doctor who has been trained to treat cancers of a woman’s reproductive system.

What is the purpose of information about cancer?

Doctors use this information to plan treatment and to monitor progress.

What is the difference between a gynecologic oncologist and a radiation oncologist

Different treatments may be provided by different doctors on your medical team. Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who have been trained to treat cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. Surgeons are doctors who perform operations. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicine. Radi ation oncologists are doctors who treat cancer ...

What is the treatment for a swollen vein?

Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation. Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.

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 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 is a punch biopsy?

Punch biopsy, which involves using a sharp tool to pinch off small samples of cervical tissue. Endocervical curettage, which uses a small, spoon-shaped instrument (curet) or a thin brush to scrape a tissue sample from the cervix.

What is a wire loop?

Electrical wire loop, which uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire to obtain a small tissue sample. Generally this is done under local anesthesia in the office. Cone biopsy (conization), which is a procedure that allows your doctor to obtain deeper layers of cervical cells for laboratory testing.

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 is the instrument used to check for abnormal cells?

A special magnifying instrument (colposcope) is used to check for abnormal cells. During the colposcopic examination, your doctor is likely to take a sample of cervical cells (biopsy) for laboratory testing. To obtain tissue, your doctor may use:

What is cone shaped?

Typically, the cone-shaped piece includes tissue from both the upper and lower part of the cervix. If cervical cancer is suspected, your doctor is likely to start with a thorough examination of your cervix. A special magnifying instrument (colposcope) is used to check for abnormal cells. During the colposcopic examination, ...

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 are the organs of the female reproductive system?

Anatomy of the female reproductive system. The organs in the female reproductive system include the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. The uterus has a muscular outer layer called the myometrium and an inner lining called the endometrium. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time.

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 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 stage IA1?

Stage IA1. Treatment for this stage depends on whether or not you want to be able to have children (maintain fertility) and whether or not the cancer has grown into blood or lymph vessels (called lymphova scular invasion).

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 ...

Key facts

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths in 2020. About 90% of the new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries (1).

Overview

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 604 000 new cases in 2020. Of the estimated 342,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2020, about 90% of these occur in low- and middle-income countries.

HPV and cervical Cancer

A large majority of cervical cancer (more than 95%) is due to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Cervical cancer control: A comprehensive approach

The Global strategy towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem , adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2020, recommends a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control. The recommended actions include interventions across the life course.

Treatment of cervical pre-cancer

If treatment of pre-cancer is needed and eligibility criteria are met, ablative treatment with cryotherapy or thermal ablation are recommended. Both treatments are equally effective and safe and can be performed in an outpatient clinic.

WHO response

The World Health Assembly adopted the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. The definition of elimination of cervical cancer has been set up as a country reaching the threshold of less than 4 cases of cervical cancer per 100 000 women per year.

What are the treatments for cervical cancer?

The three main treatments for cervical cancer are radiation , chemotherapy and surgery. Some people may have a combination of treatments. Radiation or chemotherapy may be used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the pelvis (Stage IV) or cancer that has recurred. There are two kinds of radiation treatment:

What is the cancer of the cervix?

Cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix, begins on the surface of the cervix. There are two main types of cancer of the cervix — squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. About 80% to 90% are squamous cell carcinomas, while 10%-20% are adenocarcinomas. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

What type of surgery is used to remove a small piece of tissue from the cervix?

Some of the most common kinds of surgery for cervical cancer include: Laser surgery: This surgery uses a laser beam burn off cells or to remove a small piece of tissue for study. Cone biopsy: A surgery in which a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix.

What is the cervix?

The cervix is the lower part of the womb (uterus). The uterus has two parts — the upper part (body) where a baby grows, and the lower part (cervix). The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).

What is radiation treatment?

There are two kinds of radiation treatment: A device loaded with radioactive pellets which is placed into the vagina near the cancer and kept in place for a certain period of time. An external device which beams radiation into the target areas during visits to the radiotherapist.

What tests are done to determine if a cancer diagnosis has spread?

These tests might include liver and kidney function studies; blood and urine tests; and X-rays of the bladder, rectum, bowels, and abdominal cavity. This process is called staging.

What does it mean when you have a vaginal bleed?

Vaginal bleeding after intercourse or exercise, between menstrual periods, or after menopause. Menstrual periods that may be heavier and last longer than normal. If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, symptoms may include: Difficult or painful urination, sometimes with blood in urine.

What is it called when a cancerous cell forms in the cervix?

When malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix is located at the narrow end of the uterus and leads to the vagina. The development of cervical cancer is a slow process; the cells go through several changes before becoming cancer. The changes are called dysplasia.

How many stages of cervical cancer are there?

There are four stages of cervical cancer. The staging is what helps your doctor determine how far the cancer has spread and which treatments will possibly work the best. Stage 3 cervical cancer spread into the pelvic area and lower part of the vagina. Learn more about the staging here:

What happens during stage 3 cervical cancer?

Stage 3 cervical cancer begins when the cancerous cells begin to spread away from the cervix. Below you will discover how cervical cancer is diagnosed and the treatments used to relieve ...

What is stage 1B2?

Stage 1B2 means that it has grown larger than 4cm in diameter. 2. Stage 2. Once the cancer begins to spread outside of the womb, but not into the muscles and ligaments, it is called stage 2 cervical cancer. This stage is also divided into two parts: stage 2A and stage 2B. Stage 2A.

How big is a stage 2A1 vaginal cancer?

The cancer will spread into the top of the vagina if it is not treated and put into remission it will reach the vagina. Stage 2A1 the cancer is less than 4 cm. Sstage 2A2 the cancer is more than 4cm. Most of the time can be treated with surgery or chemoradiation.

How long does it take to live with stage 2 cervical cancer?

Stage 2 cervical cancer patients have a 50% chance of surviving 5 or more years after diagnoses. Stage 4 cervical cancer patients have a 5% survival rate. Stage 4 is the most severe and deadly stage of cervical cancer.

How is tissue removed in a LLETA?

Biopsy, tissue is removed and sent to be examined under a microscope. LLETA, tissue is removed by using a loop of wire carrying an electrical current. Sometimes all abnormal cells are removed with this method. Cone Biopsy determines how deep the cancer cells have spread below the cervix surface.

What Are Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer often does not have symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms of cancer of the cervix usually do not start until the cancer grows and spreads (metastasizes) into nearby tissue. When symptoms of cancer of the cervix occur, they may include:

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

The cause of cervical cancer is often unknown but it is believed it may be due to genetic changes (mutations).

What Is the Treatment for Cervical Cancer?

Treatment for small and large cell cervical cancers usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy (“ chemo ”), and/or radiation.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
The treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Medication

Chemotherapy: Uses medications usually injected into a vein to kill cancer cells. Sometimes used in combination with radiation.

Bevacizumab . Carboplatin . Cisplatin . Docetaxel . Fluorouracil (5-FU) . Gemcitabine

Procedures

Simple hysterectomy: The cervix and uterus are removed along with the cancerous tumor. This is done in a very early-stage of cervical cancer.

Radical hysterectomy: The cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and lymph nodes are removed along with the cancerous tumor.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:Utilizes high-powered energy beams like X-rays or protons to kill cancer cells.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Beta-carotene rich foods like carrots, cantaloupe, peaches, squash
  • Folic acid rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and asparagus
  • Citrus fruit such as orange, lemon
  • Whole-grain cereals and breads
  • Lycopene containing products such as tomato, watermelon

Foods to avoid:

  • Food rich in sugar

Specialist to consult

Gynecologist
Specializes in the health of the female reproductive systems and breasts.
Gynecologic oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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