Cervical cancer develops when abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably. Long-lasting infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers. Regular screening can help detect abnormal cell changes early.
Treatment depends on the stage and size of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health. Your treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer starts when cells in the cervix develop abnormal changes and begin growing uncontrollably.
Most cervical cancers are linked to a long-lasting infection with high-risk types of HPV. The two main types of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the cells on the outer surface of the cervix, while adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells of the cervix.
Early cervical cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the cancer grows, you may experience:
These symptoms can have other causes too. If you notice unusual bleeding or discharge, speak with a doctor for an evaluation.
Cervical cancer may be detected during routine screening before symptoms appear. A Pap test checks cervical cells for abnormal changes, while an HPV test checks for high-risk HPV infection.
If a screening test shows an abnormal result, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. This procedure uses a magnifying instrument to examine the cervix closely.
A biopsy may also be performed to check cervical tissue for cancer cells. Depending on the findings, a punch biopsy, endocervical curettage, LEEP or cone biopsy may be used.
If cancer is confirmed, further tests may be needed to determine its stage. Imaging tests such as MRI, CT or PET scans can help check whether the cancer has spread. Knowing the stage helps our cancer care team plan the most appropriate treatment.
The choice of cervical cancer treatment depends on the stage, tumour size and location, overall health, and whether you want to preserve fertility. Some patients may need more than one type of treatment.
Surgery may be used for early-stage cervical cancer. The type of surgery depends on how far the cancer has grown.
Possible procedures include:
Our experts will assess your cancer and discuss whether fertility-sparing surgery is suitable for you before treatment begins.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It may be used alone or with other treatments.
The two main types are:
Radiation and chemotherapy are often used together for locally advanced cervical cancer. Our radiation oncology team will determine the most suitable approach based on your stage and treatment needs.
Chemotherapy uses medicines to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be given with radiation therapy or used as part of treatment for advanced cervical cancer.
The medicines and number of treatment cycles depend on your cancer and overall health. Our oncology team will explain your treatment schedule and what you can expect during each cycle.
Targeted therapy uses medicines that act on specific proteins or pathways involved in cancer growth. It may be considered for some advanced or recurrent cervical cancers.
Our oncology experts will assess the features of your cancer and previous treatments to determine whether targeted therapy may be appropriate for you.
Immunotherapy helps your immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It may be used for some advanced cervical cancers and in selected treatment settings.
Our experts will consider your cancer type, stage and previous treatments when deciding whether immunotherapy may be suitable for you.
Clinical trials may provide access to new treatments or treatment combinations that are still being studied. Our oncology team can help you understand whether a suitable clinical trial is available.
Supportive or palliative care can also be provided during cancer treatment. It focuses on managing symptoms, side effects, pain and other concerns and can be given alongside cancer treatment. Our care team can provide support to help you manage these concerns throughout your treatment journey.
Cervical cancer treatment by stage depends on how far the cancer has spread. Other factors, such as tumour size, overall health and fertility preferences, also affect the treatment plan.
|
Stage |
Common treatment approaches |
|
Stage IA |
Selected small cancers may be treated with cone biopsy or fertility-sparing surgery. Other patients may need a hysterectomy or radiation. |
|
Stages IB and IIA |
Treatment may include surgery, radiation with chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. Selected patients may be considered for fertility-sparing surgery. |
|
Stages IIB, III and IVA |
Chemoradiation is commonly used. External radiation may be combined with brachytherapy and chemotherapy. |
|
Stage IVB or recurrent cancer |
Treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation for symptom control or other systemic treatments. Clinical trials may also be considered. |
The exact treatment plan is different for each patient. If preserving fertility is important to you, discuss your options before starting treatment. Fertility-sparing treatment may be possible for some small cancers that are limited to the cervix.
Your treatment experience depends on the type and stage of cancer and the treatment you receive. Surgery may require a period of hospital care followed by recovery at home. Radiation and chemotherapy may cause tiredness and other side effects that vary from person to person.
During treatment, our care team will monitor your health and response to treatment. We can also provide support for nutrition, pain management, emotional wellbeing and other treatment-related concerns.
After treatment, regular follow-up is important. Our experts will monitor you for signs that the cancer has returned and help manage any long-term effects of treatment. If you have concerns about fertility, sexual health or other changes after treatment, our care team can discuss them with you and guide you on the appropriate next steps.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, we provide comprehensive cervical cancer care through a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Our gynaecological oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other specialists work together to understand your condition and plan treatment based on your cancer stage, overall health and individual needs.
Our cervical cancer care includes:
Early cervical cancer may not cause symptoms. Possible warning signs include unusual vaginal bleeding, bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, watery or bloody vaginal discharge and pain during sex. These symptoms can have other causes, so they should be evaluated by a doctor.
Most cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of HPV. HPV has many different types, but only certain high-risk types are strongly linked to cancer.
There is no fixed treatment duration for cervical cancer. It depends on the stage, treatment type and whether you need surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of treatments. Your cancer care team can explain the expected treatment schedule based on your individual plan.
Yes. Some cervical cancer treatments can affect your ability to become pregnant. However, fertility-sparing treatment may be possible for selected patients with small, early-stage cancers. If you want to have children in the future, discuss fertility preservation with your cancer care team before treatment begins.
Yes, cervical cancer can be treated during pregnancy, but the approach depends on the cancer stage, how quickly it is growing, the trimester and your wishes regarding the pregnancy. In some cases, treatment may be delayed until later in pregnancy or after delivery. More advanced cancers may require earlier treatment. Your cancer and pregnancy care teams should discuss the risks and options with you.
Survival depends on how far the cancer has spread when it is diagnosed. Current U.S. SEER data reported by the American Cancer Society show a 5-year relative survival rate of 91% for localised cervical cancer, 62% for regional disease and 20% for distant disease. These figures are based on women diagnosed between 2015 and 2021 and are not individual predictions. Newer treatments may also improve outcomes over time.
© 2024 RBH Jaipur. All Rights Reserved.
