Cervical Cancer Treatment Options

In cervical cancer care, several doctors collaborate and devise a treatment plan for the patient. A multidisciplinary team consisting of oncology nurses, pharmacists, counselors, and physician assistants work together to treat the cancer patient.

The kind of care depends on the stage and type of cancer the patient is suffering from. You should discuss with your doctors and figure out the treatment plan best suited to your situation.

Techniques applied to treat cervical cancer

Some treatment options available for cervical cancer are as follows –

• Conization – Conization is recommended for cervical cancer patients who would still like to be able to procreate. Doctors usually recommend this treatment before suggesting radiation or chemotherapy.

In this process, a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from your cervix with the help of a surgical or laser knife. A thin wire heated by electricity is also used at times, which is called LEEP (or loop electrosurgical excision procedure).

After this is done, you will be examined under a microscope to check if the edges of the cone still have cancer. If the cancer still remains, chemo or radiation therapy may be advised to remove them.

• Cryosurgery – Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze cancer cells on your cervix. As a result, the abnormal cells die. It is an outpatient procedure, and you can return home after the treatment. You may expect a watery discharge for weeks post-cryosurgery.

It is the recommended procedure in Stage Zero of cancer treatment, which refers to the period when your cancer has only just been detected.

• Laser surgery – This is another cervical cancer treatment usually applied in Stage Zero. The doctor burns off the cancer cells on your cervix using a laser beam. This isn't painful since you are numbed during the procedure.
• Hysterectomy – During a hysterectomy, the patient's cervix and uterus are removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are kept untampered with, unless there's a reason for them to taken out too. There are three methods of performing a hysterectomy, and the surgery requires you to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
• Trachelectomy – If you still wish to have kids after your cervical cancer treatment, you should consider a trachelectomy. Although this procedure removes the top-most portion of your vagina and cervix, the uterus is kept as is.

A stitch is placed at the site of your cervix and leads to your uterus. The lymph nodes near your uterus and cervix area may also be removed as a precautionary measure.

A trachelectomy is extremely effective in cancer removal and significantly eliminates any chances of the cancer recurring.

Conclusion

Discussed above are only a handful of ways in which cervical cancer be treated. There are numerous other options too, and your operation team will decide upon which one's appropriate for you.

Phoenix Family Medical Center diagnoses and treats cervical cancer. Early detection is of prime importance when it comes to battling cancer. So walk into our clinic or schedule an appointment with us if you suspect you might be suffering from any symptoms of cervical cancer.

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