Accurately determining the stage of the cancer (the extent of disease) is the first step in treating cervical cancer. For most Stage I and II cancers of the cervix, patients have a choice of either surgery (radical hysterectomy) or radiation therapy. The gynecologic oncologists and radiation oncologists at Mayo Clinic work together closely to decide which option may be best for each patient. For more advanced stages of disease, a combination of treatments is often needed. For some women, this will mean chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The collaboration of specialists in each area to provide this aggressive treatment is a unique service provided by Mayo Clinic.
Radiation therapy is often the most effective treatment for cervical cancer at any stage of development. At Mayo Clinic, state-of-the-art radiation therapy includes intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This form of external radiation allows the radiation oncologist to minimize the high-dose radiation applied to nearby healthy tissue. External beam radiation is also aimed at diseased regions in the pelvis to kill lymph node tissue that has been invaded by cancer.
Internal radiation treatment is called brachytherapy. In brachytherapy, radiation is directed into the vagina and uterus. This treatment can be given in the outpatient setting.
Studies show that chemotherapy, when combined with radiation therapy, improves survival rates in women with advanced cervical cancer. Studies also show an advantage for some early stage tumors in women who are at high risk. Mayo Clinic physicians often use this combination. Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs given intravenously or by mouth to destroy cancerous cells.
At Mayo Clinic, a gynecologic oncologist and a plastic surgeon work together to restore as much anatomy and function as possible through reconstructive surgery. This teamwork is especially important in radical cancer surgery, in which surgical reconstruction is necessary to the treatment plan. Reconstructive surgical procedures include:
Physicians at Mayo discuss with each patient all concerns and expectations as well as possible approaches to treatment and reconstruction. Reconstructive surgery techniques can produce cosmetically pleasing and functional results that improve a woman's quality of life.
A new vaccine called Gardasil offers protection from the most dangerous types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes most cervical cancers. The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination for girls ages 11 and 12, as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26 if they haven't received the vaccine already. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active.
Although the vaccine could prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, it can't prevent infection with every virus that causes cervical cancer. Routine Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer remain important.