Yes, cancer of the cervix IS curable. This article will discuss the most important aspects of treating the condition. You may be surprised to learn that cancer of the cervix is very treatable, and if detected early, the disease can be prevented. But you should not be complacent about this fact. Treatment options vary from person to person. Before beginning a treatment plan, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of various treatments.
The good news is that most cervical cancers are curable when diagnosed early. While the five-year survival rate of women with this disease is over 90%, this figure drops to 58% when the cancer has spread to the rest of the body. Treatment options will depend on the stage of the disease and your desire to get pregnant. If you are still trying to conceive, doctors will try to deliver the baby as soon as it can survive outside the womb. If the cancer is not recurrent, doctors may opt to use chemotherapy or radiation to treat the cancer.
Surgery is an effective treatment for cancer of the cervix. Depending on the location of the tumor, doctors may use either an open or closed incision to remove the cancer. A minimally invasive approach, known as laparotomy, is often used for small tumors and is less invasive. However, patients must be prepared for a lengthy recovery period and may need to return to the hospital for observation.
A cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a routine procedure offered to women in Scotland between the ages of 25 and 64. Those with abnormal results may be invited to undergo additional screenings up to 70. You should contact your GP practice if you have any abnormal symptoms. These are not always the signs of cervical cancer but should be treated right away. When a woman experiences a cervical recurrence, the doctor will recommend a course of treatment based on the results of the screening.
Treatment options for pre-cancer are equally effective. Some treatments are offered in an outpatient clinic. Cryotherapy and thermal ablation are also considering acceptable options. The best option for women with suspicion of cervical cancer is referral to appropriate health care services. Biopsies and colposcopy may be recommended. If you detect the cancer early, an open hysterectomy is an option. If the cancer is invasive, radiation therapy or palliative chemotherapy may be recommended.
In advanced stages, a cervix cancer may spread to the pelvic wall. This is the wall that lines the lower part of the vagina. If the cancer is advanced, it can block the ureters, bones, and even the lungs. For this reason, it is important to seek early treatment. If cancer is detected early, it can be removed in one of two ways: a hysterectomy or a radical trachelectomy. During this surgery, enough of the cervix is left so that the woman can get pregnant.
