Cervical Cancer Treatments
There are treatments for all patients with cervical cancer. Uses three kinds of treatment:
* Surgery (taking out the cancer in an operation)
* Radiation therapy (high energy radiation to kill cancer cells).
* Chemotherapy (drugs or “poison” to kill cancer cells).
The cancer can be removed using any of the following:
*Cryosurgery involves the removal of the cancer by freezing.
*The laser surgery is the use of a beam of intense light to kill cancer cells.
*Conization is the removal of a piece of fabric into a cone shape in the location of the abnormality. It is used for biopsies, but also for the treatment of early cancers of the cervix.
*Electrosurgical excision (LEEP, an acronym in English) uses an electric current passes through a thin wire loop, which serves as a blade.
*A hysterectomy is an operation that removes the entire uterus, including all cervical cancer as well.
1.Histerectomia Vaginal. The uterus is removed through the vagina.
2.Histerectomia Abdominal. The uterus is removed through an incision in the abdomen. You may also be necessary to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).
3.Histerectomia radical is an operation that removes the cervix, uterus and part of the vagina. Also lymph nodes are removed from the area. (Lymph nodes are small structures in the form of beans that are found throughout the body and whose function is to produce and store cells that fight infection).
* Exenteration if cancer has spread outside the cervix or the female organs, it may be necessary to remove the lower colon, rectum or bladder (depending on the place where the cancer has spread) along with the cervix, uterus and vagina. The patient may need plastic surgery to form an artificial vagina (vaginoplasty) after this operation.
TREATMENT STAGES
Cervical cancer treatments depend on the stage of the disease is found, tumor size, age and general health status, and the desire for children.
Stage (carcinoma in situ). Treatment may consist of:
1.Conizacion.
2.Cirugia laser.
3.Procedimiento electrosurgical excision (LEEP).
4.Criocirugia.
5.Cirugia to remove the cancerous area, cervix and uterus (total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy) for women who can not or do not want children.
Stage I. Treatment depends on the depth of tumor invasion:
I-a: 1. Total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
2. Conization.
3. Radical hysterectomy with or without lymph node dissection).
4. Radiotherapy.
I-b: 1. Radiotherapy.
2. Extended radical hysterectomy with or without radiation therapy.
Stage II. Treatment depends on the depth of tumor invasion:
II-a: 1. Radiotherapy.
2. Total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
II-b: 1. Radiotherapy.
2. Clinical trials of new forms of radiotherapy / chemotherapy.
Stage III. Treatment may include:
III-a: Radiotherapy.
III-b: Clinical trials of new forms of radiotherapy / chemotherapy.
Stage IV. Treatment may include:
IV-a: 1. Radiotherapy.
2. Clinical trials of new forms of radiotherapy / chemotherapy.
IV-b: 1. Radiation therapy to relieve symptoms such as pain.
2. Chemotherapy.
Treatment of local recurrence may be:
1. Surgery to remove the lower colon, rectum or bladder (depending on the place where the cancer has spread) along with the cervix, uterus and vagina (exenteration).
2. Radiation and chemotherapy.
If the cancer has recurred outside the pelvis, can qualify for a clinical trial of systemic chemotherapy.