Cervical cancer treatment

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in young women. However, cervical cancer treatment often gives good results, and cancer detected at the first stage can be completely cured in 90% of cases. The Dobrobut Clinic provides the entire scope of diagnostic and therapeutic care for oncologic diseases, including treatment of stage 4 RSM, at a high professional level using treatment methods with proven efficacy.

Symptoms of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is often asymptomatic, especially when the disease is in its earliest stages. Since it can remain "hidden," it is important to undergo regular cervical cancer screening starting at the age of 21.

You should immediately consult a gynecologist if you have the following symptoms

• pain or bleeding during or after sex, douching or pelvic examination
• pain in the pelvic area
• unusual vaginal discharge;
• blood or bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis of cervical cancer

For the timely diagnosis of cervical cancer, it is important to regularly monitor changes in the cervical epithelium in case of dysplasia. Pre-cancerous changes in the cervix can remain in a stable state for a long time, and can develop into a malignant tumor in a few weeks without significant symptoms. Screening at the Dobrobut Clinic will help to take the situation under control in time and preserve a woman's health, including the ability to have children.

There are two types of cervical cancer:

• squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cervical cancer is more common, accounting for about 70% of all cases;
• adenocarcinoma. This type of cervical cancer accounts for about 25% of all cases. Adenocarcinoma comes from cells in the glands that produce mucus and line the endocervix.

The priority of modern oncology is detection and treatment of cervical cancer at early stages. Methods of early diagnosis allow to start treatment at the stage of a few altered cells and achieve recovery with minimal effort.

Screening, which a woman undergoes every six months for preventive examinations, is often enough to detect cancer at an early stage.

For diagnosis, our specialists use cytologic method and colposcopy with a microscope. Biopsy during colposcopy allows a detailed study of the epithelium. This approach allows detecting cancer at an early stage in a short period of time, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment. In some cases, a cervical canal scraping may be necessary.

In Dobrobut you can also undergo spiral CT scan with double contrast at the prescription of your doctor, PET-CT, and other studies that help to clarify the diagnosis, plan radiation therapy or surgery.

For an effective diagnosis, it is important to monitor your lymph nodes throughout treatment and after completion of treatment.

Cervical cancer treatment

The approach to cervical cancer treatment can vary depending on the stage and the individual woman's situation. However, we always use radiation and chemotherapy to the extent that is best suited to each individual case. Combining anti-cancer drugs with radiation helps to significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment and in total reduce the burden on the body, which gives each type of therapy.

During treatment, a woman may need additional support to reduce adverse reactions to aggressive therapy, as well as adjustments to the regimen to reduce the severity and number of side effects. 

Treatment of cervical cancer in stage 1

The most favorable prognosis when cancer is detected at the stage of a few cells, when the tumor can only be seen under a microscope and the lymph nodes are completely clear. Treatment of stage 1 cervical cancer is often done with a combination of radiation therapy and minimal surgery. 

Cervical conization may be one possible solution. In this case, the cervix is not removed, but the inner part is excised in the form of a cone, the affected tissues and part of the adjacent healthy tissues are removed. Such an operation is possible only when the cancer process is diagnosed at the very beginning and the doctor is fully confident in its effectiveness. A recurrence of cancer with insufficient treatment can lead to a faster and more aggressive version of the disease.

Treatment of cervical cancer at the second stage

Treatment for stage 2 cervical cancer may include advanced techniques, the use of combination chemotherapy, surgery, prior radiation therapy, and a course of radiation after surgery. Between stages one and two, there are significant changes at the tissue level, including spread of tumor cells to lymph nodes or adjacent organs. Successful treatment depends on exhaustive diagnosis, identification of all foci, metastases, and a radical approach in removing all tumors.

Treatment of cervical cancer at the third and fourth stages

Treatment of cervical cancer of the 3rd degree takes a lot of time and requires strength from the patient. The response to therapy depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, sensitivity to drugs and radiation therapy.

At the third stage, it is usually impossible to do without removing the cervix, the uterus itself or the nearest lymph nodes. Sometimes the operation is extended to partial or complete resection of other organs

Removal of the uterus and neighboring lymph nodes is often necessary to save a woman's life. Treatment of cervical cancer at stage 4 may include removal of the ovaries. But even with such radical cancer treatment, a woman can become a mom in the future. To do this, we offer cryopreservation of eggs or embryos.

The ovaries can be affected by radiation therapy. The ovaries can be preserved by moving them higher up in the abdomen so that they are out of the laser's range.

Prevention of cervical cancer

Some of the ways of cervical cancer prevention are preventive examinations and screenings.

At one time cervical cancer was considered one of the most dangerous types of female oncological diseases. Due to the effective screening with Papanicolaou vaginal swabbing (PAP test) now it is possible to detect cancerous growths on the cervix as early as possible.

PAP test allows to detect any changes in cervical cells, presence of HPV included. Early detection can influence on the course of treatment.

Dobrobut clinic chain specialists recommend to undergo the PAP test annually for all the women over 21.