WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC TREATMENTS FOR INVASIVE CERVICAL CANCER?
Radiation therapy and surgery are about equally effective as a single option for treating very small cervical cancers in their earliest stages, with survival rates of up to 85% to 90% in appropriate patients. Factors influencing the choice between radiation therapy and surgery in women with invasive cancer include the patient’s age and health and the extent of the disease. [ See Box , Choosing between Surgery or Radiation , below. ] Although treatments for cervical cancer have several potentially severe side effects, they are usually well-tolerated. Women undergoing any of these treatments should feel free to seek support groups and counseling, which can be as important for their outlook as medical therapies.
