In cancer treatment, different doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different treatments. This is also known as a multidisciplinary team. Cancer care staff include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others. The treatment concerning cervical cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health.
Take time to learn about all of your treatment options, and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with a doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect while receiving the treatment. These talks are called “shared decision making.” Shared decision-making is when you and your doctors work together to choose treatments that fit your care goals. Shared decision-making is essential for cervical cancer because there are different treatment options.
A diagnosis concerning cervical cancer can bring concerns about if or how treatment may affect sexual function and the ability to have children, called fertility. These topics can also be discussed with the health care team before treatment begins. A pregnant woman should talk with their doctor about how treatments could affect them and the unborn child. Treatments are to be delayed until after the baby is born.
The following are the treatments for cervical cancer:
- Radiation therapy acts as the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. A doctor specializing in radiation therapy to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy might be given alone, before surgery, or instead of surgery to shrink the tumor.
- Systemic therapy acts as the use of medication to destroy cancer cells. This medication is given through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Systemic therapies regarding cervical cancer treatment are given by a gynecologic oncologist or medical oncologist, doctors who specialize in treating cancer with medication.
- A chemotherapy treatment, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period. A patient might receive one drug at a time or a combination of different drugs given simultaneously. For women who have cervical cancer treatment, chemotherapy is often given in combination with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy acts as the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by keeping the cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells.
