Did you know that the 5-year survival rate for early-stage cervical cancer is over 90%?
So, don’t wait to get screened!
Cervical cancer, affecting the cervix, is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is among the most common cancers in women. Its early stages often display no symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular screening.
Learning about cervical cancer stages and treatment is essential for better health.
Early detection is key, as treatment is most effective in the initial stages. Options like surgery and radiation therapy aim to remove or destroy cancerous tissue.
Advanced treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapy offer promising outcomes.
A comprehensive approach, including screening and HPV vaccination, can greatly improve recovery chances.
Let’s find out more about treatment options.
What are the different stages of Cervical Cancer?
Here is an overview of the main stages and sub-stages of cervical cancer:
- Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ (CIS) (Carcinoma in situ is a condition in which abnormal cells are found only in the place where they first formed)
- Stage I: The cancer is only in the cervix
- IA: The cancer is very small and only visible under a microscope
- IB: The cancer is larger and can be seen without a microscope
- IB1: The tumor is <4 cm in size
- IB2: The tumor is ≥4 cm in size
- Stage II: The cancer has spread beyond the cervix, but not to the pelvic wall or lower part of the vagina
- IIA: The cancer is confined to the upper two-thirds of the vagina
- IIB: The cancer has spread to the parametrium (tissues around the cervix)
- Stage III: The cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina, and/or to the pelvic wall, and/or causing kidney problems
- IIIA: The cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina
- IIIB: The cancer has spread to the pelvic wall
- IIIC: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread beyond the pelvis
- IVA: The cancer has spread to nearby organs like the bladder or rectum
- IVB: The cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the lungs.
Treatment of stage 0 and IA cervical cancer
Treatment of stage 0 and IA cervical cancer typically involves surgery, such as a radical hysterectomy and removal of nearby lymph nodes, or a less invasive procedure called a cone biopsy (A cone biopsy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix )
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be recommended in some cases. The specific treatment plan will depend on factors such as the patient’s age, overall health, and personal preferences
Treatment of stages IB and IIA cervical cancer
The treatment of stages IB and IIA cervical cancer can involve a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given at the same time.
Treatment of stages III and IVA cervical cancer
Radiation therapy is used to target the cancer cells in the cervix, while chemotherapy is given to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy and to attack any cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. This combination treatment approach is aimed at controlling the cancer and improving symptoms.
Surgery may not be an option for most women with stage IVA cervical cancer, as the cancer is considered advanced and may have spread to nearby organs.
Treatment of stage IVB cervical cancer
Treatment options for stage IVB cervical cancer are primarily focused on palliative care to control symptoms and improve quality of life, as stage IVB cervical cancer is not usually considered curable.
Treatment options may include chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and ifosfamide, as well as radiation therapy to help control cancer and manage symptoms. Whole pelvic radiation therapy may also be used in combination with chemotherapy in some cases.
Treatment of recurrent cervical cancer
In recurrent cervical cases, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be used. If the recurrence is confined to the central pelvis, pelvic exenteration (complete surgical removal) may be indicated.
In cases where the recurrence is outside the pelvis or if there is a history of prior radiation therapy, combination therapy may be appropriate
Survival rate of treatment of cervical cancer
The 5-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 67%, with 90% survival rate for cancers diagnosed at an early stage. The success of cervical cancer prevention and screening programs has been demonstrated in both urban and rural areas.
Multidisciplinary treatment approaches have been shown to improve outcomes for patients with invasive cervical cancer.
There have been some successes in immunotherapy research and therapeutic vaccine development for cervical cancer.
Role of tumor board in cervical cancer screening
MedicoExperts can play a critical role in cervical cancer screening by providing guidance on appropriate screening methods and developing screening guidelines based on the latest research and clinical evidence.
This includes determining the optimal age to initiate screening, selecting appropriate screening modalities such as cervical cytology (also known as the Pap test or Pap smear), testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), or both, and recommending the frequency of screening based on individual risk factors.
In addition, experts in cervical cancer screening can contribute to the development of new screening technologies, such as artificial intelligence algorithms for identifying cervical precancer and cancer.
Role of tumor board in cervical cancer treatment
The role of a multidisciplinary MedicoExperts tumor board in cervical cancer treatment is to bring together a team of experts from various specialties, such as medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient’s case and develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.
The team discusses the patient’s medical history, prior treatments, and current symptoms to determine the optimal treatment approach. The tumor board may also review imaging studies, pathology reports, and other diagnostic tests to develop the most accurate diagnosis and ensure the treatment plan’s efficacy and safety.
Overall, the goal is to provide the patient with the best possible care by considering multiple perspectives and using the collective expertise of the team to reach a common decision on treatment options.
Conclusion
The treatment options for cervical cancer can vary depending on the stage of the cancer and other individual factors. Generally speaking, early-stage cervical cancer (Stage 0, IA1, and IB1) may be treated surgically by removing the cancerous tissue with a cone biopsy, cold knife cone biopsy, or hysterectomy if appropriate. Radiation therapy may also be used as a primary therapy or in combination with chemotherapy.
Late-stage cervical cancer (Stage IB2, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IVA) may be treated with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, or with surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
Palliative care may also be provided to manage symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and other complications.
Tumour board consultation is very essential for cervical cancer detection and treatment as it will help in making the right decision for different treatment pathways.
FAQ :
Q1. How many stages of cervical cancer?
A: There are 4 stages of cervical cancer with several substages.
Q2. What stages of cervical cancer are curable?
A: Stages I, II, and III are curable using surgical approaches. However later-stage cancer may not be cured by surgery and require combination therapy for effective treatment.
References
https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/survival
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65985/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy.html
