Cervical Cancer Treatment

Cervical cancer treatment varies greatly depending on the stage of cervical cancer, age, and general health of the patient. The more advanced the cervical cancer, the more limited the patient and physician are in treatment choices. Many times, cervical cancer patients are treated with more than one method, such as surgery and chemotherapy.

Cervical Cancer Treatment Options

LEEP
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or for short LEEP, is an in-office procedure where abnormal cells are removed with a wire that has electric current running through it. This is common for high grade cervical dysplasia and less commonly, very early stage cervical cancer.

Conization
Conization is the removal of a cone shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal.

Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery, or cryotherapy, freezes and kills abnormal tissue.

Laser Surgery
Laser surgery uses a laser beam to remove lesions or tumors that are at the surface.

Total Hysterectomy
A total hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. It can be done through the vagina or through an incision in the abdomen.

Radical Hysterectomy
A radical hysterectomy removes the cervix, uterus, and upper part of the vagina. The ovaries and fallopian tubes may be removed also.

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy
A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Pelvic Exenteration
Pelvic exenteration is the surgical removal of the lower colon, rectum and bladder. Openings are made for the passage of stool and urine to be collected in bags.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that either kill cancer cells or preventing the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy can be given in a variety of ways, with IV infusion and pill being more common. The type of chemotherapy given depends on the stage and type of lung cancer.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of certain types of energy, radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This energy can be waves or particles like protons, electrons, x-rays and gamma rays.

Radiation can be given internally or externally.