How You Can Survive Stage 4 Cervical Cancer
Being diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer is not something everyone wants to hear in their lives. However, it does happen and you’re probably reading this article because it has happened to you. Or perhaps a loved one has been diagnosed. Or maybe you just want to find out more information out of personal interest. Whatever the case, knowing the information contained in this article can come in handy.
Sufferers of stage 4 cervical cancer can be divided into 2 categories. The first category which is known as Stage IVA cervical cancer means that the disease is confined to the pelvis and the organs surrounding it. On the other hand, sufferers of Stage IVB cervical cancer have the disease spread out to other organs further away from the pelvis. Unfortunately, today’s treatments can only successfully treat patients in the first category while medicines can alleviate the pain and symptoms of those in the second category.
Regarding treatment for those in the first category, the main way of managing the disease is through a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells in your body. Essentially, it involves putting small capsules of radioactive material close to the cervix.
Chemotherapy involves the administration of drugs to kill cancer cells and often works more effectively when done with radiation therapy. While these 2 treatments are known to be successful in increasing survival rates of sufferers, they do come with various side effects such as anemia, hair loss, nausea and vomiting just to name a few.
Stage 4 cervical cancer is not a pleasant disease to have, but it’s comforting to know that today’s technology means that you can have hope and overcome this dreadful disease.