Contents:
- Medical Video: Cervical Cancer Treatments
- What surgical options are available for the treatment of cervical cancer?
- Radical tracelectomy
- What happens during radical trakelektomi?
- Radical tracelectomy allows you to have children
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy is of two types
- What complications might arise from hysterectomy?
- Exenteration of the pelvis
- What is the procedure for pelvic concentration?
Medical Video: Cervical Cancer Treatments
There are many treatment options for cervical cancer. The method chosen will depend on several factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, possible side effects, and overall patient preferences and health. Surgery is the main choice recommended by the doctor.
What surgical options are available for the treatment of cervical cancer?
There are 3 types of surgery to treat cervical cancer:
- Radical tracelectomy: cervix together surrounding tissue and the upper part of the vagina is removed, but the uterus is left
- Hysterectomy:cervix and the uterus is removed; depending on the stage of the cancer, it may also be important to remove the ovary and the fallopian tube
- Exenteration of the pelvis:major surgery where the cervix, vagina, uterus, bladder, ovary, fallopian tubes and rectum are removed entirely
Read on to find out more about the details of each operation.
Radical tracelectomy
Radical tracelectomy is usually only recommended if cervical cancer is found at a very early stage. This operation is usually recommended for women who want to protect their potential for childbirth.
What happens during radical trakelektomi?
During the procedure, the surgeon will make a number of small incisions in your stomach. A special device will be inserted into the incision and used to lift the cervix and the top of your vagina. Lymph nodes from the pelvis may also be cut. The uterus will then be connected to the bottom of your vagina.
Radical tracelectomy allows you to have children
Compared to hysterectomy or pelvic exenteration, the benefit of this type of surgery is that your uterus is still intact. This means you still have the ability to have children. However, it is important to realize that doctors cannot guarantee you will still be able to have children.
Usually doctors warn you to wait for approximately 6-12 months to have a baby after surgery, so that your uterus and vagina have time to recover. If you are successful in pregnancy after surgery, your child must be born by caesarean section.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is often recommended to treat early cervical cancer. This operation can be recommended after a radiotherapy program to help prevent the cancer from recurring.
Hysterectomy is of two types
There are two types of hysterectomy that can be done to treat cervical cancer:
- Simple hysterectomy: cervixand the uterus is removed and, in some cases, the ovary and fallopian tubes are also removed; this is only suitable for very early stage cervical cancer.
- Radical hysterectomy:cervix, the uterus, surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are completely removed; this is the main choice in the first advanced cervical cancer and some early second stage cervical cancer.
What complications might arise from hysterectomy?
Short-term complications of hysterectomy include infection, bleeding, coagulation, and unintentional damage to the ureter, bladder or rectum.
The risk of long-term complications is small, but can be disruptive, namely:
- the risk that your vagina can be shorter and drier, which makes sex painful
- urinary incontinence
- swelling of the arms and legs caused by fluid buildup
- Your intestine is blocked because of the buildup of scar tissue — this may require further surgery for repair
Hysterectomy is a procedure for removing the uterus. It should be noted that you are no longer able to have children after undergoing this procedure.
Removal of the ovary that might be done will also trigger menopause if you haven't experienced it.
Exenteration of the pelvis
Pelvic exenteration is a major surgery that is usually only prescribed when cervical cancer recurs after a series of previous treatments that are believed to be successful. This operation is offered if the cancer has recurred in the pelvis, but has not spread beyond this area.
What is the procedure for pelvic concentration?
Pelvic exenteration includes two stages of treatment:
- The cancer is removed, coupled with your bladder, rectum, vagina, and lower intestine
- Two holes called stomas are made in your stomach; This hole is used to remove water and dirt from your body into a collection pocket, called a colostomy bag.
After exfoliating the pelvis, your vagina can be rebuilt with skin and tissue from other body parts. This means you can go back to sex after the procedure, although it may take several months until you feel fit enough to do it.
You and your doctor must choose the treatment that is right for you. Consider the benefits and risks before deciding. You can ask the health care provider for more information.
