Best Cervical Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Best Cervical Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Cervical cancer is a potentially deadly cancer, because it develops slowly over years and might not cause noticeable symptoms in the earliest stages. But getting the HPV vaccine and having regular screenings, such as a Pap smear test, can help prevent or find abnormal precancerous cervical cells that can turn into cancer over time, if not found and removed. Cervical cancer, if diagnosed and treated at an early stage, is curable. Fortis Hospital, Mulund, one of the best cervical cancer hospitals in India, offers compassionate and comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatments to deliver the best possible outcomes and quality of life.

Why Choose Fortis Hospital, Mulund for Cervical Cancer Care?

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, you’ll receive compassionate care from some of the nation’s best gynaecologist and oncologists who have decades of experience diagnosing and treating cervical cancer, including the rare types. Our experts are committed to the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. 

When you seek treatment at our center, you can expect:

• Precise diagnostics
• Advanced treatments
• Compassionate and personalized care from a multidisciplinary team
• Globally recognized expertise
• Support and wellness services for patient and family

Read on to get the facts about cervical cancer, including its causes and risk factors, early detection, common symptoms, treatment and prevention.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells lining the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina or birth canal. Cervical cancer usually affects women between 20 and 50 years old. Most cases of cervical cancer result from an infection with human papillomavirus or HPV, a common virus that can be contracted through sexual contact. Some strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer. Regular screenings can help catch the disease early, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment.

Cervical cancers can occur in different types, which are named based on the type of cells where the cancer began. The two main types are:

• Squamous cell carcinomas – these cancers account for about 80-90% of all cervical cancer cases. They begin in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix.
• Adenocarcinomas – this type develops in the column-shaped, glandular cells lining the cervical canal. This type accounts for about 10-20% of cervical cancers. 

Sometimes, cervical cancer can develop as a combination of both types of cells.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

You may not have any symptoms until the cancer has spread. Early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, if they appear, may include:

• Vaginal discharge, which can be watery or bloody with a foul smell
• Bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause
• Menstrual periods that are heavier or longer than usual
• Pain or bleeding during or after sexual intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Urinating more frequently

As cervical cancer begins to spread to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body, you may have additional symptoms, such as:

• Pain or bleeding from the rectum during a bowel movement
• Painful urination, or blood in the urine
• Pain in the abdomen
• Swelling of the legs
• Dull backache
• Fatigue

Schedule an appointment with a Gynaecologist without any delay if you have any symptoms that concern you.

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

Nearly all (up to 90%) cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection, often resulting from unprotected sex. The fact is, almost everyone who is sexually active will get infected with HPV at some point in their lives. For most people, the virus goes away on its own as their immune system fights off the infection. However, infection with high-risk strains of HPV, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18, that lasts for years can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can help prevent infection with HPV strains that cause cervical cancer as well as some HPV types linked to genital warts. The vaccine, however, does not treat or protect against an existing HPV infection.

What are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?

While any woman with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer, certain factors can raise the odds of developing this condition. 

Risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• HPV infection
• Having sex at a young age
• Having many sexual partners
• A weakened immune system due to HIV infection or another health condition that weakens your immune system
• Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections
• Smoking
• Long-term use of contraceptive pills
• A family history of cervical cancer

When Should You Start Screening for Cervical Cancer?

Most organizations suggest that women begin screening for precancerous cell changes and cervical cancer at age 21. Screening tests, such as the Pap test and an HPV test, need to be repeated every few years. Depending on your age and health history, your doctor will advise you on how often you need to be screened for cervical cancer and which testing option is right for you. 

For instance, women aged 30-65 years may be advised any of the following methods:

• A Pap test every 3 years
• An HPV test every 5 years
• An HPV/Pap test every 5 years

Regular cervical cancer screenings can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early, giving you the greatest chance for a successful treatment.

How is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of cervical cancer or your screening test reveals abnormal cells, your doctor will order more tests to confirm a diagnosis and find out if the disease has spread. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our pathologists, diagnostic radiologists and technicians use the most advanced technology and equipment to enable accurate diagnosis and staging of the disease, significantly improving treatment efficacy. 

Tests and procedures to diagnose cervical cancer include:

Colposcopy-

To closely examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of cancer, using a speculum and colposcope, a special magnifying instrument. This procedure may involve a biopsy, where your doctor removes a small sample of cervical cells for microscopic analysis.

Biopsy –

Your doctor may also use any of the following methods to get a sample of tissue from your cervix to observe under a microscope to check for signs of cervical precancers and cancers:

• Punch biopsy
• LEEP (Loop electro-surgical excision procedure)
• Endocervical curettage (ECC)
• Cone biopsy
• Cystoscopy or proctoscopy

Sometimes, a biopsy might be the only treatment needed if it can completely remove all the abnormal cells.

If the doctor suspects that you have cervical cancer, you may be asked to get certain tests done to find out if and where the cancer has spread. These tests might include:

Blood and urine tests

Imaging tests, such as:

• Chest X-ray
• Ultrasound
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• PET/CT scan

These tests can help your doctor stage the cancer, which is crucial for planning and identifying the right treatment option for you.  

How is Cervical Cancer Treated?

Treatment for cervical cancer will depend on multiple factors, including the stage and size of your cancer, your overall health and age, your preferences, as well as your desire to have children in the future. 

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our doctors will discuss the best options to treat your condition with you and your family, taking both treatment goals and possible side effects into account. Your treatment will be customized to your unique needs and may include more than one type of treatment options. 

For early-stage cervical cancer – 

Doctors typically treat early-stage cervical cancers that have not spread from the cervix with different methods of surgery. The goal is to remove all the cancer. Sometimes, surgery may be combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or both. The stage and location of your cancer will determine the type of surgical procedure you will have.

 Common types of surgery include –

• Laser ablation – burns off cancer cells using a focused laser beam.
• Cryosurgery – freezing and destroying abnormal or cancer cells.
• LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) – removal of precancerous lesions from the cervix using a thin wire hook heated with electricity.
• Hysterectomy – removal of the cervix and uterus. Minimally invasive, either laparoscopic or robotic surgery, may be an option for women with very small cervical cancers that have not spread.
• Trachelectomy – removal of the cervix and the upper part of the vagina.
• Pelvic exenteration – a complex surgical procedure to remove the vagina, cervix, ovaries and uterus. It also removes the bladder, rectum, lymph nodes, and part of the colon, depending on where the cancer has spread.

For advanced cervical cancer – 

A combination of surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be used to treat cervical cancers that have metastasized or begun to spread. Palliative care may be given along with other cancer treatments to help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.

How Can You Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Getting the HPV vaccine, if you are eligible, and having regular cervical screening tests (a Pap smear) are the two most important steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer. 

Other things you can do to reduce your risk include:

• Practicing safer sex, such as using condoms or other barrier methods every time you have sexual intercourse
• Limiting the number of sexual partners
• Not smoking or using tobacco products

Takeaway

Cervical cancer is a serious disease, but it’s highly treatable, particularly if it’s found in the early stages through routine screenings. Perhaps, the outlook for cervical cancer patients has never been better, even as experts are constantly looking for new ways to improve treatments. 

Pay attention to your body and seek prompt medical help if you experience any concerning symptoms. Early diagnosis enhances treatment outcomes and improves survival rates. Moreover, you can prevent or reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by receiving the HPV vaccine, having regular screenings and pelvic exams, and making healthier behavioural and lifestyle choices.