Cervical cancer is treatable and, in many cases, curable when diagnosed in the early stages.
Treatment of cervical cancer is dependent upon the tumor size, invasiveness, and location.
In the early stages of cervical cancer, a simple hysterectomy is performed, which is the removal of the cervix and uterus. For advanced stages of cervical cancer, a radical hysterectomy is performed, which is the removal of not only the cervix and uterus, but also part of the vagina and lymph nodes. Hysterectomies can prevent cervical cancer from reoccurring; however, it restricts women from becoming pregnant.
Radiation is also an option for early stage cervical cancer. Radiation treatment to kill the cervical cancer cells can include either using high-energy beams focused on the cervix area or placing radioactive devices inside the body near the cervix. Chemotherapy is another treatment option that can be used alone or in combination with radiation to kill the cervical cancer cells.
Because of the emotional effects cervical cancer can present for women, especially of child-bearing age, our doctors work individually with each woman to develop a plan that effectively treats cervical cancer.
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