Cervical cancer patients have various treatment options available to them, both traditional and non-traditional.
Types of Surgical Procedures
- Cone biopsy or conization is the removal of a conical shape tissue from the cervix and cervical canal for microscopic study in order to establish a potentially cancerous cervical condition.
- The removal of the uterus and the cervix either through the vagina or the abdomen.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
- Radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina and which may also include the ovaries, fallopian tubes and adjacent lymphatic nodes.
- Pelvic exenteration is the surgical removal of the lower colon, rectum, bladder, cervix, vagina, ovaries and adjacent lymph nodes. After such a surgical procedure, openings are made on the patient in order to facilitate the flow of urine and stool directly into a plastic or rubberized collection bag. Reconstructive surgery is also required to make an artificial vagina for the patient.
- Cryosurgery procedure to freeze and destroy abnormal and cancerous tissues.
- Laser surgical procedure to cut tissue and/or remove a tumor.
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is the use of controlled electrical in the removal of cancerous tissue.
Radiation Therapy
Internal or external radiation therapy utilizes radioactive substances in killing cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy
A treatment procedure that uses drugs to arrest cancerous cell growths wherein drugs are administered either orally or by intravenous/intramuscular injection.
Other Treatment Choices
Aside from these conventional cancer treatment options for cervical cancer, patients also have the choice of undergoing non-traditional therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine or dietary supplements for the management of the symptoms and/or the cancer itself.
- Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years for the management and control of pain. It involves putting thin needles into the skin at particular points on the body to increase the flow of energy on the body’s meridians. Present studies prove that acupuncture is effective in the treatment and management of pain and useful for stroke rehabilitation, migraines, chronic back pain and asthma.
Acupuncture is only performed by state licensed and certified acupuncturist who have undergone training and passed the licensure exams and requirements. It has almost zero side effects since the only risk arises from the use of non-sterile needles.
Very often, acupuncture is recommended by medical practitioners as a complementary treatment with traditional medications.
- Herbal medicines and natural dietary supplements are vitamins and minerals which are herbs or plants extract in capsule, tablet, or liquid form generally used to augment the food we eat. Usual dietary supplements are vitamins and minerals and other necessary substances derived from natural sources. These supplements generally contribute to an individual’s health maintenance and well-being and have been used for thousands of years to treat various illnesses; some of these supplements are the foundation for some modern medications like aspirin.
Overall, medical experts agree that dietary supplements are safe but just like conventional medicines; they may cause side effects and allergic reactions.
If you are willing to undergo traditional and non-traditional treatments, it is best to always inform your doctor especially if you are already taking dietary supplements since it may interact with your conventional medications and aggravate your conditions.
No comments:
Post a Comment