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Cervical Cancer Treatment
Cervix is the lowermost part of the uterus that opens in to vagina. Cervical cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells in the cervix. Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer that can be detected through regular PAP tests. The major cause of cervical cancer is virus called human papillomavirus or HPV. This virus can sexually transmit from the partner who has it. However there are other causes as well like weak immune system, starting sex at an early age, smoking and birth control pills to name a few.
TYPES OF CERVICAL CANCER
- Squamous cell carcinomas – Accounts to the 80-90% of the cervical cancer forming in the flat, thin cells at the bottom of the cervix.
- Adencarcinomas –Accounts to 10-20% of cervical cancer that forms in the grandular cells in the upper part of cervix.
SYMPTOMS:
As cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer the symptoms are also very slow to notice. Some noticeable symptoms are:
- Pain in Vagina and lower belly.
- Pain during sex
- Vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between periods
DIAGNOSIS:
- HPV DNA Test
- PAP Test
- Conization
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS IN INDIA:
The treatment of cervical cancer entirely depends on the stage and location of the cancer. Major treatments available in India for Cervical Cancer are:
- Surgery – depending on how much the cancer has grown the patient might have one or combinations of treatments. There are three major surgical options:
- Laser Surgery: Performed by specialists at a very early age. This is generally used to remove the precancerous cells. In this a narrow beam of laser light is used to destroy the abnormally growing cells in the cervix.
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure: A modern medical treatment in which the specialist uses the wire loop to pass electric current. Electric current cuts down the affected part from the body.
- Hysterectomy: It is a procedure in which the uterus and cervix are taken out of the female body. Sometimes the Lymph nodes and ovaries are also taken out but then this really depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the tumor. One major drawback of Hysterectomy is that you can not bear children after that.
- Lymphadenectomy: A procedure in which lymph nodes are removed.
- Chemotherapy: Using powerful drugs to kill the tumor cells is called as chemotherapy. However it is to be noted here that chemotherapy is not given to cure all types of tumors. It can not cure tumor rather it can shrink it and slow down its growth. Chemotherapy combined with Radiation therapy has shown good results on the women suffering with advanced cervical cancer.
- Radiation Therapy: A procedure in which high energy beams are used to kill the cancer. It can be done by two ways. First internally, by placing radioactive device in the uterus. Second, externally by using radiation therapy machines.