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Medically reviewed by Blair McNamara, MD
Cervical cancer is rare in the US. Less than 1% of all cancers, and is highly treatable. In fact, if it is in the early stages, the 5 -year survival rate is More than 91%.
“Cervical cancer in the United States should be preventable. We have an excellent detection test, with PAP tests and HPV tests, ”he said Monica Vetter, MDA gynecological oncologist certified by the Board with the Norton Cancer Institute.
Although routine detection It can prevent Almost all cervical cancers, almost 1 of 4 women They were behind their cervical cancer exams in 2019. and it was estimated that more than 13,800 people were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024.
Asian women, Hispanic women and women living in rural areas were more likely to be behind their projections. And a Study 2022 They discovered that 1 in 4 Hispanic and black women have delayed follow -ups, and black women have the lowest monitoring rates after abnormal findings. Black women also are more likely to have higher rates of cervical cancer, more advanced stages to diagnosis and greater mortality.
The members of the LGBTQ community also are more likely to be late in detection and that it is more likely that a medical care provider will be incorrectly counted that do not need cervical cancer detection.
Read: Delete barriers to the detection of cervical cancer for the LGBTQ community >>
Cervical cancer treatment
If you have cervical cancer, you are likely to be referred to a Gynecological oncologistA doctor who specializes in the treatment for female reproductive system cancer. The treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, directed therapy and immunotherapy. What treatment is better for you depends on Various factorsincluding the cancer stage and if you want to get pregnant in the future.
Surgery
Surgery, along with some other treatments, can affect its ability to get pregnant in the future. Fertility presentation surgeries, conization or radical trachectomy, are options for early cervical cancer.
Cone biopsy
Cone biopsyAlso called Conization, it is a surgical option for precancerous cells and early cervical cervical cancer that will still allow it to get pregnant. A cone biopsy takes a large amount of tissue and can also get rid of abnormal cells so that they do not become cancer in the future. “I tell people to think about it as if they were trying to get a spoonful of ice cream from the center of their cervix,” Vetter said
There are three types of cone biopsies:
Leps can be done in the office using local anesthesia, while cone biopsies occur in the operating room, probably under general anesthesia.
Radical trachectomy
Depending on the size and characteristics of your cancer, your surgeon may recommend a trachectomy instead of conoco. A simple trachectomy eliminates only the cervix and a radical trachectomy eliminates the cervix and the surrounding tissue. Your surgeon may also recommend the elimination of nearby lymph nodes. The trachelectomies allow the possibility of a future pregnancy because the uterus is left in place. These procedures are performed in an operating room under general anesthesia.
Hysterectomy
There are several types of Hysterectomies That can be used to treat cervical cancer. They all eliminate the option of getting pregnant in the future.
In a total or simple hysterectomy, the surgeon eliminates the uterus, including the cervix. The ovaries are usually left in place. This type of hysterectomy can be used to treat certain types of cervical cancer very early.
Radical hysterectomies are a more complicated surgery that eliminates the uterus and cervix, as well as the tissue that surrounds the cervix and the upper part of the vagina. The ovaries are generally not eliminated. Radical hysterectomies have more potential side effects than total hysterectomies, such as intestinal or bladder complications.
Hysterectomies can be performed through the abdomen or vagina, and can be open surgery or minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic or robotics surgery. Depending on the stage of your cervical cancer, your surgeon may recommend open surgery as the safest hysterectomy option. Your surgeon may explain the risks and benefits of the different hysterectomy routes in your case.
Chemotherapy, radiation and medication therapies
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medications to kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells. In general, it is administered through infusions IV.
Radiotherapy Use high energy radiographs to kill cancer. Radiation can be administered with X -ray machines, called external beam radiation or with small capsules that are placed near or cervix, called internal or implant radiation.
Radiation is commonly given in combination with chemotherapy, known as chemio-radiation, because it is more effective than radiation alone. Chemotherapy and/or radiation are sometimes used after hysterectomy and chemotherapy can be used for tumors that are too large for hysterectomy. Sometimes, chemoterradiation is curative.
Chemotherapy alone is often given if you can’t do other treatments or if you have recurrent cervical cancer -Cancer returns after being treated by surgery or chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get pregnant after having had chemotherapy therapy due to Radiation damage To the uterus.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy use your Body immune system To combat cancer, it is often used together with chemotherapy, particularly if you have diagnosis 4 -stage cancer. Given by IV infusion, immunotherapy works by eliminating cancer’s ability to hide from immune cells and improve the ability of their immune system to destroy cells. Not all are candidates for immunotherapy, but if it is and can obtain therapy to respond to cancer, you can keep it In remission more extensive. Its ability to conceive after immunotherapy will depend on the type of treatment it has. Some treatments interfere with their fertility and others have a great possibility of causing birth defects.
Directed pharmacological therapy
Directed pharmacological therapy Use medicine that blocks proteins that help cancer cells grow and spread. Some specific pharmacological therapies are IV infusions and others are pills. Some directed therapies are also considered Immunotherapy
Pharmacological therapy is often used for recurring disease. More research is needed to completely understand how directed pharmacological therapy affects fertility.
Detection is key
“The incidence or rate of advanced stage cancers is increasing, and we need to do a better job for people to be selected,” Vetter said. “Get your father [tests]. If you have any strange symptom, such as vaginal bleeding after sex or bleeding between periods, go and be evaluated. When cervical cancer catches early, there is a very high cure rate. ”
This educational resource was created with Merck’s support.
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