Cervical cancer treatment at GenesisCare

There are a number of treatment options available for cervical cancer. These include:

• Surgery – which ranges from a very minor procedure to remove a piece of the cervix for early cervical cancer to more complex surgery to remove part or all of the womb
• Radiotherapy – high-energy radiation beams maybe delivered externally and internally to destroy cancer cells while doing as little harm as possible to healthy cells.
• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs are used to destroy cancer cells.
• Chemoradiotherapy – radiotherapy is often combined with chemotherapy to treat cervical cancer.

If you’re pregnant and you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, our team of experts will carefully evaluate the cancer and offer you all treatment options that are available. They’ll then work with you to make sure all your questions are answered so you can decide what the best treatment options are for you.

Most women who are pregnant and diagnosed with cervical cancer are treated for early stage cancer. Research also suggests that cervical cancers spotted in pregnant women grow no more quickly and are no more likely to spread than cervical cancers in women who aren’t pregnant.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

You may undergo one or more of the following diagnostic tests if you are showing signs of cervical cancer.

Colposcopy

A microscope called a colposcope is used to carefully examine your cervix in detail. They may take a small sample of cells or a piece of tissue to be tested if any abnormal areas can be seen on the cervix. 

LLETZ

LLETZ stands for large loop excision of the transformation zone. This procedure is usually done under a local anaesthetic in the clinic with electrical energy to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix.

 Cone biopsy

A small operation that involves the removal of a small, cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. The procedure is usually done under a general anaesthetic (fully asleep) and may require an overnight stay.

Further cervical cancer tests

If initial tests show you do have cervical cancer, it’s likely you’ll need to undergo further diagnostic tests. These may include blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, PET/CT scans and an examination under anaesthetic. 

Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms. This is why attending regular cervical screening is important.

There can be a number of indicators of cervical cancer, however the main ones to be aware of include:

• Vaginal bleeding – after sex, in-between periods or heavier flows during your period
• Changes to vaginal discharge
• Pain during sex
• Pain in your lower back, your pelvis or your lower tummy

Please remember having one or more of the above symptoms doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. But if you are concerned about cervical cancer, you should speak to your GP to arrange an appointment.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a modern radiotherapy technique that directs beams of radiation in an arc across the treatment area. Together with surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT), it’s possible to precisely target areas of cancer, adjusting the beam and intensity of the radiation dose to allow for movements in the body and avoid healthy tissues.

Side effects of radiotherapy can occur when healthy tissue receives radiation, so using this technique helps to limit the dose to tissue and organs surrounding the tumour. At GenesisCare, we offer VMAT wherever possible because it is widely recognised to be the highest standard of care currently available for patients needing this type of radiotherapy.

We also offer palliative VMAT radiotherapy for those living with advanced cervical cancer (usually stage 4B), where it has spread elsewhere in the body. This type of treatment can help to reduce pain and increase mobility. We understand that fast access to palliative care is paramount, so we always do our best to provide treatment within 48 hours of a planning imaging scan.

How long does radiation treatment for cervical cancer take?
A course of external radiotherapy for cervical cancer usually lasts about five to eight weeks.

Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) is usually administered after someone has been treated with chemoradiotherapy for early stage cervical cancer or locally advanced cervical cancer. It involves applicators (hollow tubes) being inserted into the vagina which give radiotherapy directly to the cervix and the area close by. It’s usually given as an inpatient procedure at a hospital.

Our consultant oncologists work closely with cancer specialists from locally and nationally renowned hospitals. So if your consultant recommends that you need internal radiotherapy, they’ll arrange this at one of our partner hospitals and ensure you receive the best possible treatment and care. You can then continue any further treatments at GenesisCare.

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you before you start your course of radiotherapy. They will also discuss how your treatment plan and supportive care can help to manage or minimise these side effects.

Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy for ­­­­­cervical cancer is usually delivered in combination with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy), although you can have it on its own. It may also be used to reduce the size of your tumour before surgery or treat cancer that has come back.

Targeted (also called biological) therapies are a specialised group of drugs that are designed to attack or block specific processes in cancer cells that tumours depend on to survive and grow. It is typically used if cancer is advanced (stage 4) or come back after treatment.

Immunotherapies work by helping your body’s own immune system to recognise and fight the cancer. Immunotherapy can be used for cervical cancer that has spread or come back.

If your cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it’s called advanced, metastatic or stage 4 cervical cancer. At GenesisCare, you can receive palliative drug treatment for advanced cervical cancer to reduce the size and progress of your cancer and ease pain and other symptoms.

For some advanced cancers, we use specialist tests, such as liquid biopsy or genomic testing, to understand the genetic make-up of cancer cells. This helps us to identify which drugs are available to work against specific genetic mutations in a cancer, allowing us to start effective treatment without delay.

There may also be opportunities to access clinical trials for the newest treatments for cervical cancer.

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you before you start your course of chemotherapy. They will also discuss how your treatment plan and supportive care can help to manage or minimise these side effects.

Research has shown that a personalised programme of carefully planned and supported physical activity can enhance the quality of life of cancer patients, limit the impact of cancer by improving strength and reducing fatigue, and ultimately lead to better outcomes.

One of our expert physiotherapists specialising in exercise for people living with cancer will provide you with a tailored 12-week programme supported by our dedicated GenesisCare Exercise Medicine app. The physiotherapist will also work closely with you to monitor changes in your health and support you throughout the programme, helping you achieve the best results. This service is available at selected GenesisCare centres.

Through a unique partnership with the charity Penny Brohn UK, we offer all womb cancer patients access to a wellbeing expert and holistic therapies either in-person or remotely. The therapies you could benefit from include counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology.

• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• The Eve Appeal