Radiotherapy is indicated for patients with cervical cancer

The National Cancer Institute (INCA) revealed that the majority of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer receive radiotherapy as part of the treatment. According to experts, more than half of cases are diagnosed at stage 2 of the disease, when the cancer has spread beyond its original site, making radiotherapy a crucial option.

With more than 17 thousand new cases predicted for 2024, the Cervical cancer is the most common among Brazilian women. This type of cancer, often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is the third most common malignant tumor in the country’s female population.

Preventing cervical cancer is possible through HPV vaccination, available on the public network for girls and boys aged 9 to 14, as well as for immunosuppressed men and women aged 9 to 45. Furthermore, secondary prevention, which includes tracking precursor lesions, is essential. It is recommended that women over the age of 25, who are sexually active, undergo screening tests periodically.

In a recent measure, the Ministry of Health announced the incorporation into the Unified Health System (SUS) of a new molecular test for identifying and classifying the HPV virus, thus expanding the cervical cancer screening program in public health.

Radiotherapy is one of the main approaches for treating cervical cancer, especially in advanced cases. According to radio-oncologist Raquel Guimarães, from the Brazilian Society of Radiotherapy (SBRT), patients with locally advanced tumors are often subjected to protocols that combine chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often without the need for surgery. “When patients cannot be operated on, especially when there is a very high surgical risk, either because they have some comorbidity or because they are patients, for example, who are very obese, among other factors, the main indication is radiotherapy”, she explains.

For young patients concerned about their fertility, fertility-sparing surgery may be an option in the early stages of the disease. However, in more advanced stages, radiotherapy is often indicated, especially for patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Brachytherapy, a form of internal radiotherapy, is indicated to increase the chances of remission in cases of locally advanced disease. Although it offers positive results, brachytherapy is not free from risks and complications in the long term, highlighting the importance of access to gynecological physiotherapy in the post-treatment period.