Various cervical cancer treatments and their side effects

Cervical cancer or cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, based on WHO data. In fact, the chances of treatment for recovery will be greater if you carry out early detection of cervical cancer, such as IVA examinations or pap smears, from the start. So, what methods can be used for cervical cancer treatment?

Various cervical cancer treatment options

How to treat cervical cancer is determined by several factors. Some of them, cervical cancer treatment is carried out based on the stage of the cancer or other health problems that may be the cause of cervical cancer.

There are several ways you can treat cervical cancer, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Usually, the doctor will help determine the treatment and the best way to treat cervical cancer according to the stage and severity of the condition.

1. Operation

According to the Mayo Clinic, one way to treat early-stage cervical cancer can be done with surgery. This method is usually one of the ways to treat cervical cancer that doctors will recommend according to your conditions and needs.

How to treat cervical cancer this one can be divided into several types of surgery. However, one way to deal with cervical cancer this one will be done based on the size of the cancer tissue, the stage of cervical cancer, and the consideration for future pregnancy.

Here are some types of surgery as a way to treat cervical cancer:

Surgery to remove cancer only

As one of the early stages of cervical cancer treatment, it is still possible to completely remove cancer cells with a cone biopsy. This procedure can be done by cutting the cervical tissue that is shaped like a cone, but leaving the rest healthy and intact.

That way, it is still possible for you to have a pregnancy after undergoing surgery for the treatment of cervical cancer. But remember, this procedure is most effective when the cancer is very small.

Radical trachelectomy

This surgical process helps you to remove the cervix or cervix and the surrounding tissue, including the upper part of the vagina.

However, you don't need to worry because part of the uterus is not removed. So, if you do one of the treatments for cervical cancer, there is still a chance if you want to get pregnant.

Simple hysterectomy (total)

Total hysterectomy is performed by removing the cervix (cervix) and the uterus itself. However, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are left in position.

Radical hysterectomy

Radical hysterectomy is a method of treating cervical cancer by removing the cervix and uterus, along with the tissue next to the uterus.

This network is named parametria and uterosacral ligaments, which will not be removed if a simple hysterectomy is used. Meanwhile the ovaries and fallopian tubes remain in place.

Pelvic exenteration

The pelvic exenteration procedure includes a method of treating cervical cancer with a fairly large operation, because there is a lot of tissue that is removed.

Take, for example, the uterus, cervix (cervix), ovaries, and fallopian tubes. In fact, the bladder, vagina, rectum, or colon may also be removed depending on the area where the cancer has spread.

This is why pelvic exenteration is an operation that is usually performed to treat recurrent cervical cancer.

2. Radiation therapy

At certain stages of cervical cancer, doctors can run radiation therapy or radiotherapy as a way to treat cervical cancer.

Radiation therapy is a method of treating cervical cancer by involving high-energy X-rays or radioactive particles to kill cancer cells in the body.

How to treat cervical cancer with radiotherapy can be done alone, not in conjunction with the use of drugs or other cervical cancer treatments.

But in some conditions, this method of treating cervical cancer can also be combined with chemotherapy procedures, especially if the severity of cervical cancer has entered an advanced stage.

In addition, this treatment can also be done after surgery if it is found that there is an increased risk of cancer.

This method can also be used to treat cervical cancer that has spread to other organs or tissues.

There are 3 ways of giving radiation therapy for cervical cancer, namely:

• External: Done by directing a beam of radiation at the target body area.
• Internal: Done by placing a device filled with radioactive material into the vagina. This process usually takes only a few minutes.
• External or internal: Combines both external and internal means.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a way of treating cervical cancer by using chemical drugs to kill cancer cells. The goal of cervical cancer treatment is to destroy cancer cells while reducing the possibility of damage to healthy cells.

Chemotherapy is thought to shrink cancer cells and reduce tumor growth. The administration of this drug can be entered into the body through a vein, aka by infusion, or in pill form taken directly (orally).

Treating cervical cancer by entering these drugs is expected to reach all areas of the body, so that it can help kill the development of cancer cells.

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer is carried out in a cycle, which includes a treatment period and is followed by a cervical cancer recovery period thereafter.

Treatment of cervical cancer with chemotherapy can be done as a single treatment or in combination with radiation therapy. How to treat cervical cancer with a combination method is usually done as a method of treating advanced cervical cancer.

In general, the dose of chemotherapy drugs is relatively low when combined with radiation therapy as a way to treat cervical cancer.

Higher doses of chemotherapy are usually recommended to control symptoms of advanced cervical cancer.

4. Targeted therapy

Cancer cells can develop due to new blood vessels (angiogenesis). These blood vessels then help provide nutrition to tumor cells to continue to grow.

Treatment for cervical cancer with targeted therapy aims to block the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis inhibitors). The target cell therapy that is commonly used is bevacizumab (avastin).

Treatment of cervical cancer with targeted therapy is generally done in conjunction with chemotherapy procedures. Usually, doctors will recommend this method in cases of advanced cervical cancer.

5. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that involves the use of drugs to strengthen the immune system against cancer.

The stronger the immune system is, it is hoped that the easier it will be to destroy cancer cells more effectively.

The reason is, the immune system, which should work to fight disease attacks, does not attack cancer cells, which is actually a disease.

This is because cancer cells produce certain proteins, thus making them undetectable by the immune system.

This is where immunotherapy works as a way of treating cervical cancer to interfere with the process.

Immunotherapy can generally be used to treat cervical cancer that has spread or has recurred. The immunotherapy that can be used, namely Pembrolizumab, is usually used intravenously (IV) every three weeks.

Risk of side effects of treatment for cervical cancer

To prevent cervical cancer from getting worse, you are advised to immediately undergo treatment for this condition. However, you need to know that various medical procedures for treating cervical cancer are slightly different from treating cervical cancer naturally. The reason is, these procedures have side effects that you need to pay attention to. Among others are:

Cervical cancer surgery side effects

The various surgical procedures to treat cervical cancer mentioned previously have the potential to pose risks afterwards.

First, treating cervical cancer by means of radical trachectomy has side effects such as increasing the chance of miscarriage during pregnancy.

Although previously stated that women undergoing cervical cancer treatment by means of radical trachectomy surgery can become pregnant, the worst risk that may be faced is the chance of miscarriage.

Therefore, you should consult your doctor first if you plan to become pregnant after undergoing this treatment process.

Meanwhile, a simple (total) hysterectomy method can run the risk of making it difficult for women, even unable to get pregnant. The reason is, how to treat cervical cancer this one involves removing part of the uterus.

Other possible complications of cervical cancer treatment that can occur, such as excessive bleeding, wound infections, and problems with the urinary tract or intestines.

Likewise with a radical hysterectomy which includes the removal of the uterus and cervix (cervix), thus reducing your chances of getting pregnant.

In addition, when some of the nerves in the bladder are removed, women usually have problems with their bladder after surgery.

As a result, you may need a catheter for a while to help you in the process of urinating. Even so, doing the surgical procedure with a hysterectomy will not reduce your ability to have sex.

In this case, you will still be able to achieve orgasm thanks to the unchanged function of the clitoris and vagina. Meanwhile, pelvic exenteration is a major operation that is usually only performed when cervical cancer recurs, after a series of previous treatments that are believed to be successful.

The side effects and risks that you experience can vary from person to person. However, what you will generally feel, among others, is nausea, vomiting and fatigue after surgery.

The recovery process from a pelvic exenteration procedure is generally quite long. There are those who take about 6 months, but there are also women who just recover completely within 1-2 years after pelvic exenteration.

Radiation therapy side effects for cervical cancer

There are several side effects of this method of treating cervical cancer. The short-term effect, this way of treating cervical cancer can cause fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea, and constipation.

For long-term effects, this treatment can cause scar tissue to form inside the vagina, as well as vaginal dryness.

This scar tissue that appears, can make the vagina narrower (called vaginal stenosis), less able to stretch, or even shorter in size.

This can make penetration during vaginal sex painful. You can also experience early menopause while undergoing radiation therapy as a treatment for cervical cancer.

Another side effect is that it can weaken the bones and cause swelling in the legs. This swelling can cause another problem known as lymphedema.

Cervical cancer chemotherapy side effects

This cervical cancer treatment has side effects that can be seen from the changes in yourself. The most common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.

This happens because how to treat cervical cancer with chemotherapy methods can also damage some normal body cells. The side effects of chemotherapy for cervical cancer that you feel usually vary depending on the type of drug, dose, and the length of chemotherapy you are undergoing.

If this treatment is given in conjunction with radiation therapy, the side effects can be more severe. Take, for example, nausea, fatigue, low blood pressure (anemia), and diarrhea. In fact, you may also experience changes in menstrual patterns. Either it's not getting your period for some time, or experiencing premature menopause.

During chemotherapy, your blood will be tested regularly and given antibiotics to treat and prevent any infections. Blood transfusions may be given if you have anemia. However, some chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat cervical cancer can affect the kidneys.

Usually this will not cause any symptoms, but the effects can be severe and the kidneys can be permanently damaged unless treatment is stopped. The doctor will consider which risks can be more "taken" when determining treatment.

Side effects of targeted therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer

The side effects or risks that may be caused by treating cervical cancer through targeted therapy can vary.

Less common but serious side effects of cervical cancer treatment include:

• There is a problem with bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Problems with the wound healing process

There is another side effect that is rare, but quite severe. Targeted therapy can lead to the formation of an abnormal tube between the vagina and part of the large intestine or anus.

Immunotherapy side effects for cervical cancer

Not much different from the side effects of other cancer treatments, immunotherapy procedures also have the risk of causing various side effects, namely:

• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Skin rash.
• Loss of appetite.
• Constipation.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Diarrhea.

Sometimes, this one treatment for cervical cancer can make the immune system attack other parts of the body. As a result, this condition can actually cause serious problems, such as inhibiting the function of various organs in the body.

For example the intestines, liver, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. Therefore, it is important to convey any complaints that you feel while undergoing one or more of the ways that are done to treat cervical cancer.

If the side effects you are experiencing are serious enough, cervical cancer treatment may be stopped. The doctor can later perform other treatments to restore your body's health condition during cervical cancer treatment.