{"id":389,"date":"2018-10-23T19:34:52","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T19:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gynecology\/?page_id=389"},"modified":"2024-11-25T23:33:16","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T23:33:16","slug":"treatment-for-cervical-cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gynecology\/treatment\/treatment-for-cervical-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Treatment for Cervical Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":370,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-389","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"layers":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"

Saint John\u2019s Health Center provides a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of cervical cancer. As experts in cancer diagnosis and translational research, our care teams can offer wide ranging services that are highly personalized to each patient, including access to clinical trials.\n<\/p>\n

\"Cervical
A multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of cervical cancer offers a highly informed care path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Our mission is to ease your way, providing the best and most comprehensive care for cervical cancer. We identify subtle characteristics of your disease to ensure the most accurate diagnosis, identifying the most optimal treatment for you. We believe, that by better understanding the genetic profile of the cancer, we can formulate highly effective treatment plans and thereby better outcomes. By also using minimally invasive techniques including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, highly precise radiation therapy delivery methods, and chemotherapy regimens that are designed to provide the best chance to control or halt cancer, we aim to minimize side effects so that you can maintain quality of life as much as possible. Our care teams are ready to support you.<\/p>\n

How do you treat Cervical Cancer?<\/h2>\n

Depending on the location and stage of cervical cancer, its size, your age and overall health, one or more treatment methods may be needed to control the growth and spread of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Our care teams will guide you through the entire process so that you are aware of all treatment options and clinical trials that are available to you. For cervical cancer symptoms and risk factors, please see Conditions: Cervical Cancer<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Surgery for Cervical Cancer<\/h2>\n

In early-stage cervical cancer, surgical options like a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or a trachelectomy (removal of the cervix), may be recommended to remove cancerous tissue and its ability to develop elsewhere in the body. Surgery is performed using minimally invasive, robotically assisted techniques<\/a> in most cases. Surgery may require radical hysterectomy (removal of additional tissue along the sides of the uterus and cervix). Radical hysterectomy helps to reduce the likelihood of recurrence by addressing the tissue where cancer tends to spread at a microscopic level. A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries) will depend on your age and the extent of the disease. Fertility-sparing surgery can be performed under special circumstances where the cervix is removed but the uterus is preserved.<\/p>\n

Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer<\/h2>\n

\"SBRT
Using image and targeting technologies, SBRT provides effective treatment of cervical cancers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Radiation therapy is a common and effective treatment for various stages of cervical cancer, which is often used alone or in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation) in order to enhance its effectiveness. Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) works by using high-energy rays or particles to damage the DNA of cancer cells, disrupting their ability to replicate, which caused cancer cells to die. <\/p>\n

The side effects of radiation therapy can include fatigue, skin changes, nausea, diarrhea, and bladder irritation, which are typically managed with supportive care. Our healthcare team carefully plans and monitors the entire process of radiation treatment to maximize its benefits while minimizing potential side effects. <\/p>\n

There are two main types of radiation therapy used for cervical cancer:<\/p>\n

\nExternal Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)<\/strong>:
\nEBRT is the most common form of radiation therapy for cervical cancer. From outside the body, a machine directs an external beam precisely at the cancerous area, which may be given in daily treatments over several weeks. The goal of radiation therapy is to target the tumor while sparing as much of the healthy surrounding tissue as possible. Advanced techniques, such as image-guided and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG\/IMRT), allow for more precise targeting and reduced side effects.<\/p>\n

Brachytherapy<\/strong>:
\nBrachytherapy involves placing a radioactive source (or sources) directly inside or near the tumor. For cervical cancer, brachytherapy is often used in conjunction with EBRT. It allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the cervix while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissue and structures. Brachytherapy can be delivered as low-dose rate (LDR) or high-dose rate (HDR) therapy, which gives the radiation oncologist more options in how to treat the cancer. HDR is more commonly used in cervical cancer due to its convenience and effectiveness, delivering a productive dose of radiations in fewer sessions.\n<\/div>\n

Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer<\/h2>\n

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer is used primarily to treat advanced stages of the disease, either as a standalone treatment or in combination other treatments. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to prevent cancer cells from replicating so that they die off, preventing spread to other parts of the body. The drugs used in chemotherapy work by targeting and destroying rapidly dividing cancer cells. <\/p>\n

\nConcurrent Chemoradiation<\/strong>: For locally advanced cervical cancer (stages IB2 to IVA), chemotherapy is often administered alongside radiation therapy. This combination, known as chemoradiation, enhances the effectiveness of radiation by making cancer cells more sensitive to the radiation. Cisplatin is a common chemotherapy drug which is given in low doses weekly during the course of radiation treatment.<\/p>\n

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy<\/strong>: In some cases, chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. This approach is less common but may be considered in certain clinical situations where surgical complications are too great.<\/p>\n

Adjuvant Chemotherapy<\/strong>: After surgery, chemotherapy may be used to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. This is typically considered if there are high-risk features found during surgery, such as lymph node spread or positive surgical margins (evidence of cancer cells directly adjacent to the primary tumor.<\/p>\n

Palliative Chemotherapy<\/strong>: For metastatic cervical cancer or cancer that has recurred after initial treatment, chemotherapy is used to control symptoms and improve quality of life. In this setting, a combination of chemotherapy drugs, such as carboplatin and paclitaxel, may be used.\n<\/div>\n

The specific chemotherapy regimen, including the choice of drugs and duration of treatment, depends on the individual patient\u2019s condition and the goals of treatment. Side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and increased risk of infection, are managed with supportive care and medication. Regular monitoring by the healthcare team also helps ensure the best possible outcomes.<\/p>\n

Targeted Therapy for Cervical Cancer<\/h2>\n

Targeted therapy, which uses drugs to target specific cancer cell mechanisms, is an option for advanced cervical cancer. Targeted therapy takes advantage of imperfections in the cancer’s structure, genetic profile, or protein to allow other treatments, such as immunotherapy, to break through. The immune system thereby recognizes and attacks cancer cells more efficiently, which may also be explored as a treatment option. The choice of treatment is guided by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who discuss your case in tumor board meetings to devise how to tailor the approach to the individual needs and circumstances of each patient. <\/p>\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"

Common Questions for Cervical Cancer<\/h2>\n

How quickly does cervical cancer spread?<\/h3>\n

Cervical cancer spreads at varying rates, influenced by factors such as the cancer type and the individual’s overall health. Generally, cervical cancer progresses slowly over many years. Early-stage cancers, such as carcinoma in situ, may take years to develop into invasive cancer. However, once invasive, it can spread more rapidly to surrounding tissues and lymph nodes.<\/p>\n

Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for effectively managing and treating cervical cancer.<\/p>\n

What is the next step after being diagnosed with cervical cancer?<\/h3>\n

\"Cervical
A consultation with you oncologist will provide answers and determine your treatment plan, including if further testing is needed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>After being diagnosed with cervical cancer, the next step involves several key actions. First, consult with your oncologist to discuss the stage and specifics of your cancer. This will determine the treatment plan.<\/p>\n