Cervical cancer occurs when the cervix cells start to grow abnormally and invade different body organs and tissues. If the cancer is very invasive it may even affect the deeper tissues. It becomes metastasized and spreads to organs like the liver, lungs, vagina, bladder, and rectum. Different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted, may trigger this type of cancer.

Is cervical cancer treatable?

Cervical cancer is found to be slow-growing and when it is going through pre-cancerous stages, there is a good chance of detecting it early and treating it. Early detection has led to cervical cancer rates declining in the country. it is possible to lower risks of getting this type of cancer by undergoing regular screening tests and getting a vaccine which protects you from the HPV infection. Studies suggest that women can start getting screened for cervical cancer as early as 21 years.

Cervical cancer treatment options

Cervical cancer treatments will depend upon many factors like the stage of cancer, health problems which the patient already suffers from, and the form of treatment she prefers. Usually, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of all three is used.

• Surgery
  When cervical cancer can be detected early, it can be treated through a hysterectomy, wherein the uterus is removed. This method of treatment may also be able to stop this cancer from coming back. The downside is that once the uterus is removed, the patient will lose the ability to conceive.
  • When cancer has not moved outside the cervix, you can opt for conization which is similar to cone biopsy and used for removing all abnormal tissues. LEEP is when an electric current is passed through a wire hook which gets rid of the tissue. These methods are effective in removing micro-invasive cervical cancer. A simple hysterectomy only removes uterus and cervix. A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix and surrounding tissues, and upper vagina. Surgery may also imply bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy where both ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed. For younger patients who are keen to preserve fertility, a procedure called radical trachelectomy may be performed where the cervix is taken out but the uterus is kept intact.
  • If cervical cancer has moved beyond the cervix, exenteration is performed which removes the vagina, uterus, rectum, lower colon, bladder, etc. This is done only when cancer has spread into these organs post-radiation.
• Radiation
  Radiation treatment is another cervical cancer treatment option that utilizes high-powered energy beams like protons or X-rays for killing cancerous cells. Radiation can be used by itself or in conjunction with chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor or post-surgery for killing any cancer cells that may still be there. This therapy can be administered externally through radiation beams or internally by inserting a device containing radioactive materials inside the vagina.
• Chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy is done to treat cervical cancer by injecting medicines into a vein to kill the cancer cells. Low chemotherapy doses can be given together with radiation because this will boost the effects of radiation. You may need to undergo higher doses for controlling advanced cervical cancer.
• Palliative care
  Finally, palliative care is specialized medical care to give you relief from pain. Palliative specialists will work along with your doctors and family members to give an additional layer of support to your ongoing cervical cancer treatments.