Treatments for cervical cancer

The cervix is ​​part of a woman’s reproductive system whose job is to keep the baby inside the uterus during pregnancy, which then opens at the time of delivery to allow the baby to pass through the vagina. However, like most organs in the body, the cervix is ​​prone to cancer. Cervical cancer is slow-growing, although it is easily detected through periodic cytologies (it is recommended to perform them once a year), known as Pap smears.

Most cases of cervical cancer are the result of contracting the sexually transmitted disease papilloma virus (HPV), although thanks to new vaccines designed to prevent HPV infections, it is now preventable. However, if cervical cancer is diagnosed, there are several treatment options available depending on how advanced it is.

Radiotherapy – It is used in early-stage cervical cancer when it is found that the cancer has not metastasized (spread) to another part of the body. Radiation therapy works by using high energy to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It can also be used after surgery has been performed to kill any remaining cancer cells that may be left in the surrounding area.

Chemotherapy – It is used when the cancer has spread beyond the cervix and is often accompanied by the use of radiation therapy.

Surgery – Used when the cancer has reached Stage I or Stage II of its cycle, there are three surgical options available to the patient.

1. radical trachelectomy – It is used to remove the cervix, part of the vagina, and surrounding lymph nodes.

2. total hysterectomy – It is used to remove the cervix and uterus.

3. radical hysterectomy – This is the most serious of cervical cancer operations in which the cervix, uterus and part of the vagina are removed. There is also the possibility of removing the fallopian tubes and ovaries depending on the metastasis of the cancer.

Depending on the stage of cervical cancer when it was diagnosed has a great influence on the prognosis (life expectancy) of the patient. The earlier the stage, the better a patient’s chance of survival, as 9 out of 10 women who are diagnosed at an early stage have a 90% chance of survival and are still alive 5 years later.

However, this dramatically decreases with a later stage diagnosis when the cancer has a regional (nearby) metastasis. If the cancer has metastasized to a distant area, the survival rate is further reduced to less than 20%.