Cervical cancer begins when healthy cells in the cervix develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. The mutations cause the cells to grow and multiply out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. Cervical cancer develops slowly, starting as precancerous lesions that may eventually become cancerous. Fortunately, cervical cancer is preventable through regular screening tests (Pap smears) that detect precancerous changes early, allowing for treatment to remove these abnormal cells before they potentially become cancerous. When cervical cancer is detected at an early stage, it is highly treatable.
There are several methods used to treat cervical cancer, with the goal of killing or eliminating the cancerous cells. The main treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. The specific method or combination of methods used depends on the stage of cancer (how far it has spread), as well as the woman’s age, health status, and preferences.
Surgery
Surgery is typically used for early stage cervical cancers that have not spread beyond the cervix. The goal of surgery is to remove the cancerous tissue. Some common cervical cancer surgery procedures include:
– Conization (also called cone biopsy) – This procedure removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. It can be used to both diagnose cervical cancer (by allowing examination of the removed tissue) and to treat it if the cancer is at a very early stage.
– Hysterectomy – Removal of the uterus and cervix. It may also involve removing the fallopian tubes, ovaries, lymph nodes and parts of the vagina.
– Radical hysterectomy – Removal of the uterus, cervix and surrounding structures such as the parametrium and upper part of the vagina. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
These surgical procedures eliminate cancerous cells by directly removing the tumor and surrounding cervical tissue. Post-surgery, patients may require additional treatments like radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence if cancer cells remain.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy beams, such as X-rays or proton beams, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging cancer cell DNA, preventing their replication and ability to grow and spread.
Radiation can be delivered externally by a machine outside the body, or internally through brachytherapy where radioactive material is placed inside the body near the tumor. It is commonly used in combination with chemotherapy.
There are two main types of radiation therapy used to treat cervical cancer:
– External beam radiation – This involves directing radiation at the tumor from outside the body. Treatments are typically delivered 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks.
– Brachytherapy – Radioactive material (radium, cesium, iridium) is implanted directly in the cervix, either for a set amount of time or permanently. This allows a high dose of radiation to directly reach the cancerous cells.
By targeting the cancer cells with DNA-damaging radiation, these treatments can eliminate cervical cancer or slow its spread. They may be used on their own or along with surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that circulate throughout the body to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. The drugs can be given intravenously or orally in cycles over a period of time.
Chemotherapy works by interfering with cancer cell reproduction and growth. The drugs damage cell DNA and disrupt other cell processes needed for cancer growth. This eventually leads to cancer cell death.
Chemotherapy may be used alongside radiation therapy to enhance its effects. It is particularly beneficial for treating cervical cancers that are no longer confined to the cervix or have spread to distant sites.
Some chemotherapy drugs used for cervical cancer treatment include:
– Cisplatin – Interferes with DNA replication and cell division
– Carboplatin – Similar mechanism to cisplatin
– Paclitaxel – Disrupts cell skeleton, preventing division
– Topotecan – Inhibits topoisomerase I enzyme to block DNA replication
Repeated cycles of chemotherapy eliminate cancer cells over time by preventing their proliferation. Combining multiple drugs maximizes anti-cancer effects.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted cancer therapies are drugs that specifically attack defective proteins or pathways that are driving cancer cell growth and survival. This allows them to selectively kill cancer cells while causing less damage to normal cells compared to chemotherapy.
For cervical cancer, the main targeted therapy is bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody drug. It works by binding to and inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that stimulates new blood vessel growth. By blocking new blood vessel formation, bevacizumab cuts off the tumor’s supply of oxygen and nutrients, causing it to shrink.
Bevacizumab may be combined with chemotherapy for recurrent, persistent or metastatic cervical cancer. The targeted action against VEGF starves cervical cancer cells while chemotherapy drugs kill them directly.
Other targeted therapies being researched for cervical cancer include:
– Immunotherapy drugs that boost the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells
– PARP inhibitors that block DNA repair in cancer cells, causing them to die
– Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors that slow cancer growth by blocking signals involved in cell proliferation
Overall, targeted therapies provide a more precise way to eliminate cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, reducing treatment side effects.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several effective medical treatments that can kill and eliminate cancerous cells in the cervix:
– Surgery removes tumors directly in early stage cervical cancer
– Radiation therapy uses DNA-damaging radiation beams to target and kill cancer cells
– Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to prevent cancer cell reproduction and growth
– Targeted therapy blocks specific proteins or pathways needed for cancer cell survival
Treatment is tailored to each woman based on the extent of cancer spread, overall health, and potential side effects. These therapies destroy cancer cells by exploiting their tendency for rapid, uncontrolled growth. Killing the abnormal cells prevents them from multiplying and spreading to other parts of the body.
Catching and treating cervical cancer early, before it becomes invasive or metastasizes, provides the best outcomes. Regular cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination help prevent the disease altogether. Continued research into novel treatments provides more options for eliminating cancerous cells and saving women’s lives.