New Delhi: Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer in women in India. Although the incidence has come down after the successful implementation of HPV Vaccination and screening programs such as HPV testing and liquid-based cytology (LBC), it continues to affect millions of women worldwide. Dr Surender Kumar Dabas, Vice Chairman & HOD, Oncology & Chief Robotic Surgery – Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, spoke about how the new cervical cancer treatment can prove a saviour for millions.
“Treatment of cervical cancer comprises surgery and chemo-radiation depending on the stage and disease histology. For most patients presenting with locally advanced disease, chemo-radiation remains the standard of care. However, 30% of patients still relapse or die within five years. Recent advances, including findings from the landmark INTERLACE trial, provide hope for improving outcomes. The landmark interlace trial comprising of short course induction chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiation has shown a 35% improvement in progression-free survival and 40% overall survival in locally advanced cervical cancer,” said Dr Dabas.
Since more than 40% of patients present with locally advanced cervical cancer, this mode of treatment where induction therapy is followed by chemoradiation should be included in deciding the treatment options as it offers an affordable and readily available mode of treatment with a good improvement in both the progression-free and overall survival. More data in the future will help us improve the standard of care for the treatment of cervical cancer patients and reduce overall morbidity and mortality.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer’s early symptoms often clash with other health problems making it difficult to detect. The symptoms of this incredibly common form of cancer are:
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of hair
- Nausea
- Vaginal bleeding after sex or during menopause or between periods
- Blood in vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain during intercourse
- Bleeding during periods that last longer than normal
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