Cervical Cancer Treatment

Revolutionizing Cervical Cancer Treatment: India’s Bold Approach

Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix when abnormal cells grow out of control. The cervix is the organ that joins the uterus to the vagina. This cancer affects the deep tissues of the cervix and can also spread to other parts of the body.

Multiple strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV, cause cervical cancer.

Here, we will see how you can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer and, if you have cervical cancer, what treatment options you get in India. Let’s first delve into the details of what cervical cancer is.

Cervical Cancer and its types

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common type, which develops where the outer cervix meets the inner cervix. 80 to 90 % of women get this cancer.

Adenocarcinoma: It develops in the higher part of the cervix and usually goes undetectable in pap smears. It affects 10 to 20 % of women.

What causes cervical cancer

In most cases, cervical cancer is caused due to infection by HPV. Different types of HPV can cause skin & genital warts and other skin disorders.

Most people who are sexually active get affected by HPV at some point. Most of the time, the infection will clear on its own. But if the infection does not go away, then it can lead to cervical cancer.

Who is at risk?

● Having sex before 18 years of age or within a year of starting your period
● Multiple sexual partners, which increases exposure to HPV
● Taking birth control pills, especially for longer than five years
● A weakened immune system
● Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
● Haven’t been vaccinated against HPV
● Multiple pregnancies
● Low socio-economic strata

Understanding the symptoms

Early symptoms of cervical cancer are:

● Pain while having sex
● Unusual vaginal bleeding
● Watery or bloody vaginal discharge

Symptoms after cancer has spread:

● Pelvic pain
● Trouble peeing
● Swollen legs
● Kidney failure
● Bone pain
● Fatigue

Cervical Cancer Screening

● PAP Smear
● HPV DNA test

If the PAP Smear tests show signs of cancer, further tests include:

● Chest X-ray
● CT, MRI, and PET Scan
● A colposcopy to check the vagina
● A rectal exam

Cervical cancer stages

Cervical cancer staging can be done as”
Stage 0 is known as the pre-cancer stage, and it means that cancer is only on the surface of the cervix.
Stage 1: It is the early stage of the cancer and is confined to the cervix only.
Stage 2: In this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the cervix but is still in the pelvic area.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread to the vaginal area and possibly to the kidney too.
Stage 4: In this stage, the cancer has spread to distant organs like the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts beyond the pelvis.

Treatment for Cancer in India

Radiation Therapy

It uses high-energy beams to kill the cancer cells in your cervix. It is of two types:

External Beam Radiation Therapy: These high-power radiations are aimed at the cancer from a machine outside the body.

Brachytherapy: It puts the radiation in or just near the cervical cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Cancer cells are killed by chemotherapy (chemo), which uses drugs that are injected into veins or taken via mouth. When it enters your blood, it kills cells anywhere in your body. There are several drugs used in chemo, and they can be combined. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Chemotherapy cycles and frequency depend on the drug used and where the cancer is located. The cost of chemotherapy for cervical cancer is 500 to 600 USD per cycle.

Surgery

Different surgical options are used in India to treat cancer:

Laser or Ablation Surgery: It uses a laser beam to burn the cancer cells. It is performed in all the best hospitals for cervical cancer in India.

Cryosurgery: The surgery freezes the cancer cells.

Simple Hysterectomy: The surgery involves the removal of the uterus, sparing your vagina and surrounding lymph nodes.

Cone Shaped Biopsy

A cone-shaped biopsy, the latest cervical cancer treatment in India, can remove all the microscopic tumors in cervical cancer. The procedure involves cutting a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue while leaving the rest of the cervix as it is. You may be able to become pregnant with this option.

A radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection: It involves removing your uterus, its surrounding tissue, also known as parametrium, your cervix, a small portion of the upper part of your vagina, and lymph nodes from your pelvis.

In a trachelectomy, your cervix and the upper part of your vagina are removed, but not your uterus.

Cyto-Reductive Surgery for Cervical Cancer

In cytoreductive surgery, the tumors, affected tissues, and all surrounding lymph nodes are removed to reduce the size of the cancerous mass. By removing as many tumors as possible, the main aim of cytoreductive surgery is to increase the effectiveness of other cancer treatments.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted drug therapy destroys specific cancer cells without damaging the healthy cells.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cervical cancer in India uses the body’s immune system to target and fight cervical cancer cells. Your immune system can fight off disease by attacking germs and other cells that should not be in your body. Immunotherapy helps the immune system to find and kill the cancer cells.

Possible Complications

Complications include:

● Risk of cervical cancer coming back or relapse
● Problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder function

Preventing cervical Cancer

To reduce the risk of cervical cancer, follow these tips:

● Receive a vaccination to prevent HPV infection.
● Make sure to have a routine PAP smear test.
● Practice safe sex.
● Do not smoke.
● Limit your sexual partners.

Prognosis

It is estimated that over 90% of people who are diagnosed with cervical cancer at the earliest stage will survive five years after diagnosis. Cervical cancer is usually diagnosed early in almost half of cases. If cancer has spread to other organs or tissues, the five-year survival rate is 58%.

Does Cervical Cancer affect fertility?

You can get pregnant if your cervical cancer is treated correctly. You should talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options if you have a desire to become pregnant.

Does cervical cancer affect sex life?

Yes, cervical cancer can affect your sex life. Specific changes like uterus removal or ovaries removal, or vaginal dryness can affect sex. It’s normal to feel nervous about having sex after cervical cancer.

Best doctors for cervical cancer in India

● Dr Neelam Suri: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, 33 years of experience in Robotic Gynaecology and Obstetrics
● Dr Rama Joshi: FMRI Gurgaon, 32 years experience in Gynae Oncology and Robotic Surgery
● Dr Vivek Marwah: MAX Hospital Saket, 34 years experience in Minimally Invasive Gynaecology
● Dr Smita Vyas: Artemis Hospital, 20 years experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
● Dr Preeti Rastogi: Medanta Hospital, Experience 20 years in Obstetrics and Robotic Gynaecology

Cost Of Cervical Cancer Surgery in India

How can you avail yourself of the best Cervical Cancer Treatment in India?

 Cross Border Care is here for you if you are looking for trustworthy treatment consultants in India. We will help you find the best doctor in India and get your treatment done for JCI-accredited hospitals at the most pocket-friendly rates. Our team includes experienced medical professionals with you at each treatment step. So, if you are planning your affordable cervical cancer treatment in India, fill out the form below, and we will help you choose the best doctor and hospital providing state-of-the-art technology.

We will help you to find the best Cervical Cancer Treatment Doctors in India.