What is Cervical Cancer Treatment?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix – the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Types of cervical cancer

The main types of cervical cancer are:

Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma: This type of cervical cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.

Sometimes, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Very rarely, cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include:

Cervical Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment for cervical cancer depends on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer, other health problems you may have and your preferences. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the three may be used.

Surgery: Early-stage cervical cancer is typically treated with surgery. Which operation is best for you will depend on the size of your cancer, its stage and whether you would like to consider becoming pregnant in the future. Options might include:

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. This option may make it possible for you to consider becoming pregnant in the future.

When is Cervical Cancer Treatment required?

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that concern you. Also make an appointment with your doctor if you have other signs or symptoms that worry you. If you are found to suffer from cervical cancer, the treatment should be started immediately.

How is Cervical Cancer Treatment done?

The operation is done either through the vagina or the abdomen, and is sometimes done using laparoscopy.

Step 1: The surgeon then places a permanent “purse-string” stitch inside the uterine cavity to keep the opening of the uterus closed, the way the cervix normally would.

Step 2: The nearby lymph nodes are also removed using laparoscopy which may require another incision (cut). The operation is done either through the vagina or the abdomen.

This surgery is usually done through a large abdominal incision (also known as open surgery).

The surgeon removes the uterus along with the tissues next to the uterus (the parametria and the uterosacral ligaments), the cervix, and the upper part (about 1 inch [2-3cm]) of the vagina next to the cervix.

The uterus is removed using laparoscopy.

Step 1: First, a thin tube with a tiny video camera at the end (the laparoscope) is inserted into one or more very small surgical incisions made on the abdominal wall to see inside the abdomen and pelvis.

Step 2: Small instruments can be controlled through the tube(s), so the surgeon can cut around the uterus without making a large cut in the abdomen. The uterus is then removed through a cut in the vagina.

What is the Recovery after Cervical Cancer Treatment like?

You’ll have to stay in the hospital after your surgery. With a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy, you’ll have a 1- or 2-day stay. Full recovery time is about 2 to 3 weeks. After an abdominal hysterectomy, you’ll stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days.

Recovery time is longer – about 4 to 6 weeks.

You may have to stay in hospital for between 3 to 5 days after having a trachelectomy. Once you are home, you will usually need 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover from a trachelectomy.

What Results Can I Expect from Cervical Cancer Treatment?

The results are gratifying after the surgery and the treatment. After trachelectomy, some women are able to carry a pregnancy to term and deliver a healthy baby by cesarean section. Radical hysterectomy does not change a woman’s ability to feel sexual pleasure.