Cervix is a part of the woman’s reproductive system. It is responsible for keeping the baby safely inside the uterus  during pregnancy. Cervix opens during the birth of the child, so that the baby can pass through the vagina. It is a slow growing cancer the symptoms of which include abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge (can be watery or thick or foul smelling), pain while urinating, pelvic pain or back pain. HPV or human papillomavirus infection is the cause of cervical cancer in most cases of cancer. Diagnosis for this cancer includes a pap smears test that is done during a gynecological exam, conducted by the gynecologists regularly. One common method of the treatment for cervical cancer is by giving injections that are used to prevent HPV infections. Other methods of treatment for cervical cancer are discussed below.

Surgery for Cervical Cancer Treatment

Surgery is performed in different ways. Below we discuss these different methods of surgery for the treatment of cervical cancer.

• Radical Trachelectomy: In this method, the cervix along with a part of the vagina and the nearby lymph nodes is removed
• Total Hysterectomy: In this method, both the cervix and the uterus are removed. Sometimes the ovaries and the fallopian tubes also can be removed, if the cancerous cells are found in that region. These can be removed either through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or by giving a large cut in the abdomen (total abdominal hysterectomy). Sometimes a small incision is given in the abdomen, using a laparoscope. This type of surgery is called total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
• Modified Radical Hysterectomy: In this method, the upper part of the vagina, uterus and the cervix along with the nearby ligaments and tissues are removed
• Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy: In this method, both fallopian tubes and both the ovaries are removed

Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is mostly used to cure cervical cancer in its early stages. Surgery can be avoided in these cases. This method makes the use of high energy x-rays or other radiations to destroy the cancer cells present in the cervix. In some cases, radiation therapy is also given after surgery. In these cases, this therapy is used to kill the remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer is given when the cervical cancerous cells have spread beyond the cervix. It can be given as the only method of treatment for cancer or can be along with radiation therapy. It is given as a combination of different drugs given either in the form of injections or in the form of pills. In most cases, cisplatin is given in combination of other chemotherapy drugs, to kill the cancerous cells present in the cervix.

Cervical cancer is curable when detected in the early stages. It can be treated effectively using the above methods of treatment for cancer. In the advanced stages, different combinations of the above treatment are used to relieve the patient from the pain.