Cervical Cancer Treatment in AU and NZ
Cervical cancer grows in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. It is often caused by persistent infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular tests and HPV vaccinations.
Radiation Therapy and Cervical Cancer
The best person to talk to about radiation therapy for cervical cancer is a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a specialist doctor who is part of the team that takes care of people having radiation therapy.
You can ask your doctor for a referral to a radiation oncologist to learn if radiation therapy is an option for you.
The Treatment Team
Doctors make a treatment plan for each person based on the:
- type of cancer
- where the cancer is
- what other treatments have been tried
- the person’s health.
The type of treatment a person gets is worked out by a team of doctors and health professionals often called a Multidisciplinary Team.
A highly trained radiation oncology team takes care of people having radiation therapy. This includes radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists and radiation oncology nurses.
Treatments for Cervical Cancer
Treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is sometimes done with chemotherapy.
Types of Radiation Therapy Used for Cervical Cancer
Radiation therapy for cervix cancer includes both Brachytherapy and External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT).
These treatments are more effective if done close together. The radiation oncology team will make a plan that allows for this.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
This done from outside the body by a machine called a linear accelerator.
EBRT is used to treat the cervical cancer and the areas it could spread to, such as the lymph nodes.
Radiation oncologists often use volumetric arc therapy, an advanced type of EBRT, to carefully deliver radiation to the areas that need to be treated.
These advanced techniques allow the doctor radiation oncologist to target the radiation on the cancer while limiting radiation to healthy parts of the body.
People usually get radiation treatment once a day, 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. The length of treatment is around 5-6 weeks.
This is an important part of the treatment for cervical cancer and usually happens after EBRT.
During brachytherapy the treatment team deliver a very small radioactive source directly to the cervix.
To do this the radiation oncologist inserts an applicator into the cervix and fixes it in place. The machine that houses the source is connected to the applicator and delivers the radiation.
Each brachytherapy session for cervical cancer takes 20-30 minutes and is done under a general anaesthetic.
You can read more information about brachytherapy for cervical cancer here.
General Information About Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is more effective with fewer side effects than ever before.
Recent advances mean radiation oncologists can effectively treat the cancer while getting less radiation on healthy body parts. This means much fewer side effects.
Side effects from radiation therapy vary between people, even for those having the same treatment. With palliative radiation therapy the side effects are very mild as radiation oncologists use a low dose of radiation.
While some people feel no side effects, some feel mild side effects, such as tiredness or skin redness during and/or just after treatment. These usually get better within a few weeks.
The treatment team will offer advice and medicine to help. People who feel unwell in the stomach during treatment can take an anti-nausea tablet to help.
Side effects that start later (months to years after the palliative radiation therapy) are rare.
Before starting treatment, your radiation oncologist will talk to you about side effects and answer your questions.
The side effects of radiation treatment can be split into 2 groups:
- Early side effects which occur during and shortly after radiation treatment.
- Late side effects which can occur months to years after radiation treatment.
For more information, go to the Potential Side Effects page.
Early Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer
Early side effects of radiation therapy may include:
Fatigue: This is very common and may carry on for several weeks.
Bowel and rectal irritation: This can lead to diarrhoea, changes in bowel habits, nausea and vomiting.
Bladder problems: This may include pain when peeing, needing to pee more often and more urgently.
Skin changes: Skin in the treatment area may be red, dry and itchy.
Hair loss: This is usually only in the treatment area.
Vaginal dryness and discharge: This may cause pain and discomfort during intercourse.
Early side effects of brachytherapy are usually linked to the procedure and may include:
Risks from having an anaesthetic.
Chance of getting an infection.
Bleeding.
Blood clot: This is also called deep vein thrombosis and is caused by lying in the same position for some time.
Perforation: This is when the applicator is not in the right position. The risk of this is very small as the doctors use ultrasound guidance. If this happens the patient is usually not treated on the day and may be kept in hospital overnight and given antibiotics.
Discomfort from applicators: This gets better when the applicators are removed.
Late Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer
Late side effects vary between people and can happen a few months to a few years after treatment.
These side effects may never occur, occur once, continue over time, or come and go.
Bladder changes: Pain when peeing and more urgency and less control of bladder.
Small risk of bowel blockage.
Sexual dysfunction: This can be caused by narrowing of the vagina and dryness.
Early menopause.
Infertility.
Lymphoedema: Radiation therapy can damage lymph nodes leading to swelling.
Pelvic fracture: This is very rare and is when a bone in the pelvis fractures due to reduced strength.
Second cancer: Cancers caused by radiation therapy are a very rare side effect.
Late side effects of brachytherapy may include:
Bowel problems: Radiation therapy can cause long-term bowel issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or changes in bowel habits.
Urinary problems: Radiation therapy may cause long-term urinary problems, including needing to be more urgently and more often.
Sexual dysfunction: Radiation therapy can cause pain during intercourse, dryness and narrowed vagina.
Other Useful Resources for Cervical Cancer
Find additional information about cancer types, research groups, and support groups.
Radiation Oncologist
The best person to talk to is a radiation oncologist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to find out if radiation treatment is right for you.
GPs and Health Professionals
Information for any health professional involved in a patient's cancer care with a particular focus on primary care providers.
Talking to Your Doctor
Your GP or other doctors in the cancer team can organise a referral to a radiation oncologist.
Treatment Centres
Search and find your closest Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre.
