Cervical cancer is a form of gynecological cancer, wherein the disease affects the cells in the cervix. A woman diagnosed with this disease needs immediate medical attention, and the course of treatment is decided depending on the stage of cancer. Here are a few common treatment options for cervical cancer:

Chemotherapy
Among the most common and effective treatment options for cervical cancer, chemotherapy plays a crucial role in shrinking the tumors. As such, it is recommended for a significant percentage of women who seek treatment for this form of cancer. Primary treatment with radiation therapy can be combined with chemotherapy to help improve the patient’s response, but this treatment brings along the risk of several side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and mouth sores. That said, one may receive pre-medications to help make the symptoms more tolerable before undergoing chemotherapy.

Targeted therapy
This is among the more specialized treatment options for cervical cancer and is designed to identify and counteract specific cancer cells. Targeted therapy medications work by stopping cancer cells from multiplying. The therapy also aids other therapies like chemotherapy in providing better results. Among the medications used for targeted therapy are angiogenesis inhibitors, which are designed to prevent cancer cells from developing blood vessels that feed tumors.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is often considered to be one of the most preferred treatment options for cervical cancer, especially for younger patients. This is because it uses the body’s own defense system to fight the disease with medications developed to stimulate the immune system to fight specific cancer cells. These medications are also effective in treating melanoma, lung cancer, or kidney cancer. For some patients, a combination of immunotherapy and other treatments works the best.

Radical hysterectomy
This is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus and the cervix of the woman, depending on the stage of the disease as well as her overall health condition. This procedure involves removing the uterus and cervix, along with the surrounding tissue affected by cancer. During this treatment procedure, the lymph nodes in the pelvic region are also removed. In young women, the ovaries are left behind to preserve ovarian function, but they may be removed in the case of older women. It is best to trust a specialist’s opinion regarding whether surgery would be the best option.

These methods precisely sum up the various treatment options for cervical cancer. Women should understand the early symptoms of the disease to facilitate early diagnosis and timely treatment, which increases the chances of success.