Cervical cancer is a disease that starts in the cells of your cervix, which is the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vagina. It’s one of the most common types of cancer affecting women, and more than 13,000 American women are diagnosed each year.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus. Regular Pap tests and HPV testing are the best ways to detect cervical cancer early, so you can start the treatment you need.
And if you’ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer, it’s normal to have questions about what comes next. Maria Scouros, MD, and our team at Houston Cancer Institute are here with answers. We offer personalized care for cervical cancer in Houston and Katy, Texas, and here’s a good place to start.
Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. Most often, it starts with a persistent infection from certain strains of HPV, and it goes through a precancerous stage, known as cervical dysplasia, before becoming invasive.
Most people with early cervical cancer don’t experience noticeable symptoms, which is why routine Pap tests are so important. However, as the cancer progresses, it may cause symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse.
Cervical cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of Pap tests, HPV tests, biopsies, and imaging studies. As part of your diagnosis, your doctor determines the stage of the cancer, which helps guide the best treatment plan for your needs.
Treatment for cervical cancer depends on a few key factors, including the stage of the disease, the size of the tumor, your age, your overall health, and whether you wish to have children in the future.
At Houston Cancer Institute, we deliver comprehensive, personalized cancer care that takes your unique needs and preferences into consideration. We offer a range of advanced treatments for cervical cancer, including:
Surgical treatment may be the best option for early-stage cervical cancer, because it can remove the cancerous cells entirely. Conization involves removing a cone-shaped piece of abnormal tissue from your cervix, and we may use this method for both diagnostics and treatment.
Trachelectomy is another option that protects your fertility. It involves removing your cervix but leaving your uterus intact, and it’s suitable for some early-stage cancers.
Hysterectomy involves removing your uterus and cervix, and it may be a good option if you don’t want to get pregnant in the future. We might recommend a simple hysterectomy for very early-stage cancers, while a radical hysterectomy removes additional surrounding tissues for more advanced stages.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Depending on your needs, we might recommend radiation alone or in combination with other treatments, like surgery or chemotherapy.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) delivers radiation from a machine outside your body. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor in your cervix.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing, and it’s administered through an IV. We may recommend chemotherapy alongside radiation to make the radiation more effective (called chemoradiation).
Chemotherapy can also be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells or to treat cancer that has spread beyond your cervix.
For recurrent or advanced cervical cancer, we might discuss using targeted drugs and immunotherapy. These therapies help your immune system recognize and fight cancer or block the growth of cancer cells.
A cervical cancer diagnosis can be scary, but we’re committed to providing advanced and compassionate care for cancer at every stage. Our multidisciplinary team at Houston Cancer Institute is here to work with you and design a treatment plan that supports your health and quality of life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer or you’re looking for expert care, schedule a consultation with our team today. Call our nearest office or request an appointment online now.
