Receiving a diagnosis of cervical cancer can be daunting, but learning about the disease enables women to make more informed decisions about their treatment. Cervical cancer occurs when cells of the cervix, the passageway in the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, become cancerous. Early detection of precancerous and cancerous cervical cells through routine cervical screening tests – such as Pap smears or liquid-based cytology tests – can help optimize treatment and outcomes.
The compassionate oncology experts at Regional Cancer Care Associates have the experience, state-of-the-art technology, and latest therapies to treat patients with cervical cancer in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area.
A Pap smear or other cervical screening test performed as part of a routine gynecologic wellness visit or in response to symptoms can detect precancerous cervical cells, which can be treated effectively through office-based noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures. Early-stage cervical cancer also can be treated very effectively. In fact, the 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer in the United States is 92%.
Testing cervical cells for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), either from the sample collected during the Pap test or from a separate sample, is another important step in the early detection of cervical cancer. That’s because two strains of the virus are linked to 90% of all cases of cervical cancer.
Factors that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer include:
Women may not experience any symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer. Other women may experience one or more of the following:
Although these symptoms may be caused by something other than cervical cancer, they should be taken seriously and evaluated by a medical professional.
There are several options for treating the various types of cervical cancer, with the optimal choice for each woman dependent on her age and overall health, any plans for future pregnancy, and stage and location of the cancer. Those options include:
Surgery for early-stage cervical cancer may entail laser treatment to destroy cancer cells or conization, in which the portion of the cervix with cancerous lesions is removed. More advanced stages of cervical cancer may require a hysterectomy, in which the uterus and cervix are removed, or a trachelectomy, in which the cervix, the upper portion of the vagina, and surrounding tissues are removed but the uterus is left intact. In both surgeries, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
Chemotherapy uses oral or intravenous drugs to eliminate cancerous cells. Doctors administer chemotherapy drugs at pre-programmed times, making them effective at treating cancer anywhere in the body. This option is generally used in conjunction with other cervical cancer treatments in advanced stages of cervical cancer.
Radiation therapy is often used to treat cervical cancer. This therapy employs high-energy rays to limit the growth of cancer cells and destroy them.
Immunotherapy targets cancer cells via certain drugs, antibodies, and vaccines that harness the power of the body’s immune system to identify and attack cancer.
As medicine advances, scientists develop more convenient and effective treatments, such as targeted therapy. These drugs act very precisely to eliminate cancerous cells by detecting the proteins they produce that spread cancer growth. The drugs focus on the cancerous cells and leave healthy cells intact.
The highly trained medical professionals of Regional Cancer Care Associates understand that patients with cervical cancer need compassionate care and constant education every step of the way through their diagnosis and treatment.
Dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective care, our oncologists and hematologists treat patients with cervical cancer and many other cancers at our 25 convenient locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area. The team at Regional Cancer Care Associates makes it easy to receive quality care and service close to home. Contact us today to request an appointment or discuss treatment options for various cancers and blood disorders.
Although you’re not alone in facing cervical cancer, no other woman shares your unique combination of health status, lifestyle, family situation and age. For these and many other reasons, your care at RCCA is equally unique. From your first appointment, through treatment, while managing side effects and during post-treatment care, your RCCA team will be dedicated to your very individual journey back to good health.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (844) 346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
RCCA is pleased to announce the recognition of John Theurer Cancer Center as the #1 Cancer Program in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report.
Affiliation provides oncology practice with expanded resources as it pursues its commitment to providing patients with the latest therapies and best possible outcomes.
Why there’s never been a better time to schedule deferred mammograms, skin examinations, colonoscopies, and other potentially life-saving cancer screenings.
When standard cancer treatments aren’t providing the results you want, clinical trials may offer hope. Our physicians use clinical trials to study new treatments, helping transform cancer care for the better. You can enroll in a clinical trial to try groundbreaking treatment plans at zero cost to you.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
