Cervical Cancer Treatment Options
The options for cervical cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the stage of the cervical cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the woman’s overall health and preferences. The main treatment options for cervical cancer include:
Surgery
Surgery may involve removing the cancerous tissue, the cervix, and/or the uterus. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. Surgery may be a good option for women with early-stage cervical cancer who wish to preserve their fertility.
External Beam Radiation therapy
External Beam Radiation therapy (EBRT) is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It is a non-invasive treatment that can be used to shrink tumors or destroy cancer cells in the body.
EBRT is delivered from a machine outside the body, and the radiation is precisely targeted to the area of the body where the cancer is located. The treatment is usually given daily over a period of several weeks, with each treatment session lasting only a few minutes.
The specific dose and duration of EBRT will depend on the individual case and will be determined by the healthcare team. While EBRT is an effective treatment option, it can also cause side effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, and damage to healthy tissues surrounding cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with radiation therapy and may be given before or after surgery. The drugs used in chemotherapy circulate throughout the body and attack cancer cells wherever they are.
Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or to kill any remaining cancer cells. It may also be given in combination with radiation therapy to make it more effective. The specific drugs and timing of chemotherapy will depend on the individual case and will be determined by the healthcare team.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to target specific molecules that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells (including healthy ones), targeted therapy is more precise and aims to selectively target cancer cells.
It is a newer form of treatment that is rapidly advancing and has shown promising results in the treatment of various types of cancer, including advanced cervical cancer. Targeted therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
The specific type of targeted therapy and the duration of treatment will depend on the individual case and will be determined by the healthcare team. While targeted therapy has fewer side effects than chemotherapy, it can still cause some adverse effects such as fatigue, nausea, and skin rash.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. It uses drugs that help the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Immunotherapy has been approved for the treatment of various types of cancer, including some forms of cervical cancer. It can be given as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
The specific type of immunotherapy and the duration of treatment will depend on the individual case and will be determined by the healthcare team.
Immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of cervical cancer, but it can also cause some adverse effects such as fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and skin rash. The side effects vary depending on the specific type of immunotherapy used and the individual patient’s response to the treatment.
Brachytherapy Treatment
Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that involves placing radioactive sources inside or next to the tumor, delivering a high dose of radiation directly to the cancerous cells while minimizing the exposure of nearby healthy tissue. Brachytherapy is often used as a treatment option for cervical cancer, as well as other types of cancer such as prostate, breast, and lung cancer.
There are two types of brachytherapy: low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR) and high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR). LDR brachytherapy involves implanting small, radioactive seeds directly into the tumor, where they slowly release low doses of radiation over a period of weeks or months.
HDR brachytherapy, on the other hand, involves delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor in a short amount of time using a machine that delivers the radiation through catheters or applicators placed in or around the tumor.
Brachytherapy may be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or external beam radiation therapy. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the patient’s overall health.
While brachytherapy is generally well-tolerated, it can cause some side effects such as pain, swelling, and bruising in the area where the seeds or applicators were placed, as well as urinary or bowel problems depending on the location of the tumor. However, these side effects are often temporary and can be managed with medication or other supportive measures.
