Stage 4 cervical cancer is the most severe level of cervical cancer. Cancer that attacks the cervix is at high risk of taking the life of the sufferer if not treated immediately.
In stage 4 cervical cancer, cancer cells have spread to other areas of the body outside the cervix and uterus (metastasize). Stage 4 cervical cancer can be divided into two stages, namely:
- Stage 4A, the cancer has spread to organs near the cervix, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum.
- Stage 4B, the cancer has spread to more distant organs, such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, intestines, or bones.
Many patients realize too late that they have cervical cancer because the initial symptoms are sometimes not typical, so that patients do not feel that they have cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer usually only causes symptoms if it has progressed to an advanced stage. The more severe the stage of cervical cancer suffered, the smaller the chance of recovery.
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The average chance of cervical cancer patients to live for 5 years after being diagnosed is about 66%. Meanwhile, in stage 4 cervical cancer, it is estimated that it only reaches 17-20%.
There are even those who reveal that only 5 out of 100 stage 4 cervical cancer patients have a chance to live for 5 years after being diagnosed. However, keep in mind that these figures are only estimates based on statistical data and do not apply equally to all patients.
Chances of cervical cancer cure can be influenced by many factors, such as race, age of the patient, type and stage of cancer, patient's condition, lifestyle, and patient's response to cervical cancer treatment.
Stage 4 Cervical Cancer Treatment Therapy
Treatment of cervical cancer between one patient and another patient will be different. The general condition of the patient and how far the cancer has spread will affect the method of cervical cancer treatment given by the doctor.
The following are therapeutic options that doctors may suggest for people with stage 4 cervical cancer:
1. Operation
The surgery performed depends on the size and stage of the cancer. Surgery can be performed to remove only cervical tissue that is affected by cancer, remove the cervix, remove lymph nodes around the pelvis and cervix with cancer, or remove the cervix and uterus (hysterectomy).
For stage 4 cervical cancer, surgery is not always performed, given that the success of therapy in general is very small and the possibility of complications is high.
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment aimed at destroying cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be done to kill or suppress the growth of cancer cells.
In stage 4 cervical cancer which is already severe and difficult to cure, sometimes chemotherapy is not intended to cure, but to relieve symptoms (palliative chemotherapy).
Unlike radiation or surgery that targets a specific area, chemotherapy works throughout the body. Therefore, chemotherapy can also cause side effects that affect healthy cells, such as skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow.
3. Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)
Radiation therapy generally uses X-rays (X-rays) to shrink or kill cancer cells. But in certain cases, other types of rays that emit radiation are also used to treat cancer.
Radiation therapy is divided into two types, namely:
- External radiation therapyThis therapy uses a machine that transfers energy beams to the area affected by the cancer. One of the external radiation is IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). The advantage of this therapy is the risk of damage to healthy tissue around cancer cells is lower.
- Internal radiation therapy
Just like chemotherapy, in stage 4 cervical cancer, sometimes radiation therapy is also done to relieve cervical cancer symptoms, not to cure it.
- 4. Targeted therapy
Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy is done by giving certain drugs or substances that are able to block the growth and spread of cancer cells without harming healthy cells. This therapy aims to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.
- 5. Immunotherapy
There is also a type of targeted therapy that aims to help the immune system kill cancer cells. This method is called immunotherapy. This therapy method is usually combined with other types of cervical cancer treatment.
During treatment, do it check-up periodically to see the success of treatment and whether the cancer cells have completely disappeared.
If you want to take herbal medicine, you should first consult with your doctor. Until now, there is no herbal medicine that has been medically proven to cure cervical cancer or other types of cancer. In addition, herbal medicines may also inhibit the work of drugs given by doctors or even aggravate cancer conditions.
Given that cervical cancer is quite common in women, early detection of cervical cancer through screening is an important step to take. Therefore, undergo regular examinations to the gynecologist. The doctor will perform a physical examination and PAP smear to detect whether cervical cancer is present.
To avoid stage 4 cervical cancer, it is recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle, have safe sex, and get cervical cancer vaccination.