Understanding cervical cancer

A form of cancer, which affects the cervix (i.e. a part of the female reproductive system) is a slow growing tumor caused almost always due to an infection of Human Papilloma Virus. The other predisposing factors include early sexual activity, having multiple sexual partners, prolonged use of oral contraceptive pills, infection due to sexually transmitted diseases, and smoking. PAP smear, a screening test for detecting cervical cancer, is recommended among sexually active women. To confirm the diagnosis colposcopy, punch or cone biopsy of the cervical tissue is done. Other imaging techniques like CT scan, X ray or PET scan may be used to assess the extent of metastasis and the stage of tumor growth.

Cervical Cancer Surgery

The option of surgical treatment would depend only upon the stage and the location of the cancer. There are different forms of treatments available, which include hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and the cervix), Radical hysterectomy (removal of uterus, cervix, a part of the vagina and the surrounding lymph nodes), Pelvic Exenteration (removal of the cervix, uterus, vagina, ovaries, lymph nodes, lower colon, rectum, and bladder). Cryosurgery and laser surgery are options that are available for pre-cancerous conditions and smaller tumors.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in treatment

In cases of extensive metastasis beyond the cervix, and when surgical intervention is considered inadequate to remove the cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are recommended. The treatment is also given prior to (neo-adjuvant) and after (adjuvant) surgery to improve the surgical outcome. Both the treatments are accompanied by several side effects, like hair loss, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and increased susceptibility to infections, diarrhea, and dysuria.

Cervical Cancer treatment option Abroad

With rapidly evolving technology, international quality standards and protocols for medical and surgical care, and international accreditation with JCI, JACHO and ISO, countries like India, South Korea, Turkey, Jordan and Mexico have gained reputation as the leading destinations for treatment of cervical cancer treatment. Low cost of treatment and tremendous cost saving opportunities has resulted in an increase in the number of American patients considering the option of going abroad to seek out for high quality and low cost medical care