Cervical cancer that is caught early can potentially be cured by removing or destroying the pre-cancerous or cancerous tissue. The American Cancer Society notes that the five-year survival rate for the earliest stage of invasive cervical cancer is 92% and the overall rate for all stages of cervical cancer is about 72%.
Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the main methods of treatment for cervical cancer. The method chosen for you will depend upon the stage of your cancer, the size and shape of the tumor, and your general health.
Surgery
UCSD gynecologic oncologists provide a full range of surgical options to remove cancerous tissue from the cervix. These include:
- LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure): Uses a thin wire loop heated by electrical current to remove abnormal tissue .
- Cryotherapy (also known as cryosurgery): Uses an instrument that freezes and destroys abnormal tissue.
- Laser Therapy: Uses a focused beam of high-energy light to vaporize abnormal tissue.
- Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus and cervix. In some cases, surgeons also remove pelvic lymph nodes. Ovaries and fallopian tubes may be left in place if they are not affected.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of a wide variety of gynecologic cancers. It may be used alone in early stage tumors or combined with chemotherapy in locally advanced disease. In addition, it may be used before or after surgery.
- High-Dose Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy where radioactive sources are placed inside the body, close to the tumor. Methods used at UCSD include cylinder, interstitial, tandem and ovoid, and tandem and ring.
- Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is a form of external-beam radiation that uses sophisticated technologies to locate the tumor and improve treatment accuracy so that healthy tissue is not harmed.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is another state-of-the-art external beam radiation therapy that improves delivery precision, thereby minimizing dosage to surrounding normal tissue. UCSD’s Dr. Arno Mundt pioneered the use of IMRT in gynecologic cancers.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs by mouth, injection or IV to kill cancer cells. One of the unique aspects of gynecologic oncology is that specialists in this field are specially trained in chemotherapy for cancers of women’s reproductive organs. With their advanced knowledge, gynecologic oncologists can select the best drug combinations for each patient, manage complications and minimize side effects.
Learn More About Cervical Cancer
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Call our New Patient Office at (858) 822-6100, or toll-free (866) 773-2703