The treatment you choose will depend on many things — here’s what to know.
Cervical and vaginal cancers are distinct, yet related, gynecological cancers. Cervical cancers develop in the lower part of the uterus; vaginal cancers develop in the vagina. The good news is that both can be treated. Treatment can be for the purpose of curing the cancer or in other cases for controlling the symptoms caused by the cancer
Surgery and/or radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy and often immunotherapy are the most common treatments for these cancers.
You should be evaluated by a specialist called a gynecologic oncologist if you are diagnosed with a vaginal or cervical cancer. This is a doctor specially trained to treat cancers of the female reproductive system. The specialist will talk with you about the treatment options that are best for you.
What determines the kind of treatment you receive?
The best treatment strategy for you for vaginal or cervical cancer depends on these factors:
- The type of cancer you have
- The size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread beyond the cervix/vagina to other parts of your body (the stage of the cancer)
- Your age and overall health
- Whether you want to become pregnant in the future
- Your preferences
- How likely it is that the treatment will cure the cancer
What to discuss with your doctor about vaginal or cervical cancer treatment options
Talk with your doctor about questions or concerns you have about gynecologic cancer treatment options. Ask how well treatment is expected to work, and what the risks and side effects may be. Your doctor is the best person to answer these questions.
You may want to ask how you’ll feel and how your body will function after treatment. Ask if you’ll have to change your normal activities, and how treatment will affect your sex life.
Your doctor may advise a certain treatment, or may offer more than one and ask which you’d prefer. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option.
It may take time to decide which is the best treatment for you. Ask your doctor how much time you can take to explore options. Learn as much as you can. You may want to get a second opinion from another doctor before deciding on a treatment plan.
Local vs. systemic treatment
Treatments fall into two main categories: local or systemic.
Local treatments remove, destroy or control cancer cells in one area.
Systemic treatments destroy or control cancer cells throughout the body. You may have just one type of treatment, or a combination.
Local treatments include:
- Surgery. The aim of surgery is to take out all the cancer. During cervical cancer surgery, nearby pelvic lymph nodes might also be removed to test them for spread of the cancer. Surgery is used for early-stage cancer that has not spread beyond the cervix. Surgery often cures the cancer.
Surgical treatment is rarely an option for vaginal cancer; women with vaginal cancer rarely have nodes removed for testing. - Radiation. This treatment kills cancer cells by using high-energy X-rays aimed at the tumor. Radiation can be from outside your body (external beam radiation). It can also be done using radioactive material placed inside your body (internal radiation, also called brachytherapy). Many times both types of radiation are used. Radiation might be the only treatment needed for smaller cancers. In other cases radiation may be given in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Radiation is a treatment for both cervical and vaginal cancers.
Systemic treatments include:
- Chemotherapy. This treatment uses medicines to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy (chemo) travels through your blood around your whole body to kill cancer cells in the cervix and any cancer cells that may have spread beyond the cervix. Some women who get chemotherapy for cervical or vaginal cancers get it along with radiation. The chemo helps radiation work better.
Chemotherapy does not work very well on its own against cervical cancer. - Immunotherapy. This treatment uses medicines that help boost your immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy. This treatment uses medicines that are directed against specific molecular targets in cancer cells, such as proteins or genes involved in cell division or survival.
Ask about clinical trials
Researchers always seek new ways to treat cancer. These new, and maybe better, treatments are tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials you should consider.
Vanderbilt Gynecologic Oncology provides expert care for women with cancers affecting the female reproductive system. These specialists offer sophisticated, compassionate care with the latest treatments, for even the most complicated diagnoses. Call the team at 615-936-8422.
