Treatment FAQ

what treatment for cervical cancer

by Ana Kautzer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

A gynecologist: a doctor who treats diseases of the female reproductive system. A gynecologic oncologist: a doctor who specializes in cancers of the female reproductive system who can perform surgery and prescribe chemotherapy and ... A radiation oncologist: a doctor who uses radiation to treat ...

Procedures

Therapy

Nutrition

How do you cure cervical cancer?

What is cervical cancer and how is it treated?

What are some common methods of cervical cancer treatment?

Can cervical cancer be completely cured?

See more

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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.

What are the treatment options 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. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.

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 survival rate for 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%.

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)

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.

What is the main cause of cervical cancer?

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. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.

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%.25 May 2021

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.17 Feb 2022

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.12 Jan 2022

What is the best treatment for cervical cancer?

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy as the primary treatment for locally advanced cervical cancers. It can also be used after surgery if there's an increased risk that the cancer will come back.

What tests are used to determine if cancer has spread?

Staging exams include: Imaging tests. 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.

What is a Pap test?

Pap test. During a Pap test, your doctor scrapes and brushes cells from your cervix, which are then examined in a lab for abnormalities. 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 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, ...

Can you get pregnant after a trachelectomy?

The uterus remains after this procedure, so it may be possible to become pregnant, if you choose.

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.

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.

What is the purpose of cervical cancer tests?

After cervical cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the cervix or to other parts of the body.

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.

Why do we do clinical trials?

Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment.

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.

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 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.

Can cervical cancer spread to children?

Over time, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas. Cervical cancer in children is rare. See the following PDQ summaries for more information about cervical cancer: Cervical Cancer Prevention. Cervical Cancer Screening.

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 a gynecologic oncologist?

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. Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with radiation.

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.

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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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