Well-Connected Women whose cancer is in the early stages still have a choice between radiation and surgery. Factors influencing the choice between radiation therapy and surgery include the patient's age and health, and the extent of the disease. Survival rates for women who had adenocarcinomas in those stages were significantly better with surgery alone. Cancers that have spread beyond the cervix to the pelvis, lower vagina, and urinary tract usually receive radiation.
All treatments have severe side effects and can be emotionally devastating.
Radiation therapy may cause premature menopause in women still in their childbearing years and vaginal scarring, as well as sexual difficulties in all women. Surgery may preserve ovarian and vaginal function, reduce treatment time, and allow for more detailed assessment of cancerous lesions, but it still destroys the ability to have children. Women undergoing any of these treatments should seek support groups and counseling, which can be as important for their outlook as medical therapies. Very advanced stages of cancer usually require combinations of radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. In addition to standard treatments, people with cancer that has metastasized may choose to participate in experimental programs using new treatment approaches because the prognosis at this stage is so grave.