Cervical cancer is a kind of cancer, which occurs in the cervix’s cells. Cervix is the uterus’ lower part, which annexes to the vagina. Different strains of the human papillomavirus have a significant role to play in causing cervical cancer. Depending on the cancer stage and your child-bearing preferences, the treatment options for cervical cancer are decided. Let us address the prevalent treatment options that are usually adopted. 

1. Radiation
In radiation, high beam X-rays are used to combat the cancer cells and curtail their growth. The radiation therapy might be performed either before or after the surgery. In some cases, radiation may also be performed if cancer has spread beyond the cervix. 

Radiation therapy may be performed in two ways: 

• Brachytherapy
  In this, radiation is performed via a small device placed inside the body, near the cervix. It is done when the cancer is in its early stage. This therapy might be given either at home or in the hospital.

• External beam radiation therapy
  It is performed in conjunction with brachytherapy to ensure that the advanced cervical cancer does not relapse. This therapy is given via a machine outside the body. It is given in smaller bursts, only once a day, and may continue for the next five to six weeks for five days a week.
• Chemotherapy
  It is a prescription treatment, which employs chemicals for killing cancer cells. Chemotherapy is either given in pill form or via a vein. In some cases, both methods may be used. In case of locally advanced cases, lower chemotherapy doses may be given in conjunction with radiation therapy. This is one of the most prevalent treatment options for cervical cancer and helps accentuate the impact of radiation. To curtail the symptoms of advanced cancer, higher doses may be recommended.
• Targeted therapy
  This treatment method is designed to counteract and assess the unique attributes of certain cancer cells. In this therapy, the medications work by annexing the receptors or the proteins on cancer cells and either killing the malignant cells or enabling other treatments, such as chemotherapy, to work better.

2. Surgery
Surgery may be performed depending on fertility concerns and the stage of cancer. The following surgeries may be used:

• Hysterectomy
  In this kind of surgery, the cervix and the uterus are both removed.

• Radical hysterectomy
  In a small percentage of women in the early cancer stage, this surgery might be necessary. In a radical hysterectomy, the cervix and the uterus are removed, in addition to the surrounding tissue and vagina’s upper part. In this surgery, the lymph nodes of the pelvis will also be removed. In younger women, the ovaries are left behind, but even those are removed in older women.

• Pelvic exenteration
  In women experiencing advanced or recurrent cancer, pelvic exenteration may be performed. The bladder, cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina, nearby lymph nodes, and rectum are removed.
• Immunotherapy
  In this, medication treatment is used that enables your immune system to combat cancer.