Cervical Cancer Surgery

What Are The Different Stages Of Cervical Cancer And Their Treatment?

The stage of a cancer is described by its size and whether it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the stage and grade of cancer helps your doctor to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

Early Cancer

The cancer cells are localised in a small area of cervix. For early cancer, the treatment options are:

Surgery
The type of surgery will depend on the stage of the cancer.

i. Simple Hysterectomy – removal of the womb and cervix.
ii. Radical Hysterectomy – removal of the womb, cervix, surrounding tissues and draining lymphatics (please refer to brochure on Radical Hysterectomy).
iii. Fertility Sparing Surgery – please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high energy rays to destroy the cancer cells without harming the normal cells as much as possible. It can be given externally, internally or a combination of the two. Radiotherapy can also be used after surgery if there is high risk of cancer recurring. It can also be used in combination with chemotherapy.

Advanced Cancer
Advanced cervical cancers are cancers that have spread beyond the cervix region. The treatment will involve one of the following:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be used in combination with radiotherapy to improve the effectiveness of the treatment for better cure rates.

Chemotherapy is used to shrink, control and relieve symptoms to prolong good quality life and may also be used if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or when the disease has recurred after radiotherapy treatment.