According to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 11,000 women discover that they have cervical cancer each year. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer involving the female reproductive tract. If detected early, cervical cancer treatment has a much higher rate of success; however, several treatments are available for tmore advanced cervical cancers as well. The treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Each of these therapies are associated with long-term risks.
Infertility
Since cervical cancer treatments involve the reproductive organs, the risk of infertility is a possibility with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy according to the American Cancer Society. In cases of more advanced cervical cancers, the patient may require a hysterectomy or a complete exenteration, which is the removal of all of the tissue and organs of the pelvis. Radiation therapy can impact fertility as well by damaging the ovaries. Specific chemotherapy drugs such as ifosfamide and cisplatinum can induce infertility, according to a 2005 article by Dr. Beth Simon and colleagues in the "Cancer Journal for Clinicians."
Premature Menopause
All three types of treatment can cause premature menopause in patients with cervical cancer. Some patients with invasive cervical cancer receive a radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy which is the additional removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, according to the MD Anderson Center's website. This procedure causes menopause. Both chemotherapy and radiation can damage the ovaries which leads to premature menopause, as noted by the American Cancer Society.
Bone Fractures
Radiation therapy to the pelvis can cause bone weakening; this can lead to fractures up to two to four years in the future. According to the American Cancer Society, hip fractures are common types of fractures after this treatment. After pelvic radiation therapy, it is suggested that patients have bone density testing to monitor bone health.
Low Blood Cell Counts
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause anemia which is low red blood cells and leukopenia which is low white cell counts. This can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and a risk of increased infections. Typically the cell counts return to normal once the chemotherapy or radiation treatments are stopped, according to the American Cancer Society.
Sexual Difficulties
Pelvic radiation can scar the vagina which can cause sexual difficulties. The scar tissue makes the vagina narrower or shorter; the patient can use a vagina dilator or frequent intercourse to stretch the vagina tissues. Premature menopause can cause vaginal dryness as well which can also cause sexual difficulties.
Swelling of the Leg
Direct treatment of the lymph nodes of the pelvis with radiation therapy can damage the lymph nodes and cause significant swelling of the leg, the American Cancer Society notes. This swelling is called lymphedema of the leg.
Urination Problems
Radiation therapy can irritate the bladder and other urinary tissues, which can cause problems with the urinary system, according to the American Cancer Society. The extensive exenteration surgery requires that the surgeon create a new method of storing and passing urine, since the procedure removes all of those tissues and causes challenges with urination as well.
References
- "Cancer Journal for Clinicians"; Preserving Fertility After Cancer ;Simon B, Lee SJ, Partridge AH, Runowicz CD; 2005.
- American Cancer Society: Cervical Cancer -Surgery
- American Cancer Society: Cervical Cancer-Radiation
- American Cancer Society: Cervical Cancer-Chemotherapy
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Cervical Cancer
