Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M |
| N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y |

Treatment of Cancer of the cervix

The success of treatment depends on the extent of spread at the time of diagnosis. Early cancer, confined to the cervix, offers an excellent outlook, with a success rate of over 85%. If the cancer has spread to the vagina, surrounding tissues and pelvic area, or elsewhere, the outlook is less positive.

Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are all used to treat established cervical cancer, sometimes in combination.  Radiotherapy is usually provided by means of sealed containers of radioactive caesium or radium that are placed in the vagina and in the cavity of the womb.