Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix. Most of the cases of cervical cancers are spread because of some strain of the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV). In the country, the average age of women diagnosed with cervical cancer is 50. Here are some of the popular treatment options for cervical cancer you should know about.
Surgery is often advised as treatment options for cervical cancer. There are different types of surgeries, depending on individual cases.
- Conization
Conization is a method for removing a cone-shaped part of the tissue from the cervix. This process helps remove small portions of the abnormal tissues easily. - LEEP (Loop electrosurgical excision procedure)
This is another minimally invasive process that includes inserting a hook into the cervix and removing the abnormally grown tissues. - Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
This is a process of removing both the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This helps in preventing the further spread of the disease. - Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a process of removing both the uterus and the cervix. In a simple hysterectomy process, the cervix and the uterus alone are removed. In a radical hysterectomy process, the upper vagina and the tissues around the cervix are removed too. - Exenteration
In case cancer has spread beyond the cervix, exenteration is performed. It is a surgery that removes most of the lower reproductive organs and intestinal systems. This is an extreme form of treatment that is chosen when there is no other way to stop the spread of the disease.
Another of the commonly used treatment options for cervical cancer is systemic therapy. Systemic therapies include a series of treatment options aimed at killing cancer cells, preventing the growth of new cancer cells, and protecting the existing healthy cells. There are three common types of systemic therapies offered in all hospitals.
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
Doctors can decide on one or more of these systemic therapies, depending on individual cases.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation/rays to kill cancer cells and prevent their growth. Radiation therapy is a common treatment option all through the cervical cancer stages. It can be offered on its own or along with surgeries and oral medications. There are two common types of radiation therapies.
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRD)
A computer application makes a 3D shape of the tumor. Thin beams of radiation are then focused from the right angles on the tumors based on the 3D shape. - Internal Radiation Therapy
Radioactive substances are inserted into the body in the form of wires and catheters to kill cancer cells.
All these treatment options for cervical cancer help in killing existing cancer cells and preventing the tumor from spreading. Your doctor will decide the right treatment option for you based on different factors like your age, health condition, and the stage of cancer.
