The Impact of Cervical Cancer on Fertility and Family Planning

Introduction:

There are many problems for women to conceive, post cervical cancer treatments. Doctors normally decide to help patients with cervical cancer by removing areas of cervical tissue through a cone biopsy, and also, by LLETZ (Large loop excision of the transformation zone). These are done on the detection of early-stage cervical cancer. Still, there is a remote risk of having the baby being born prematurely. Or the baby will be born with low birth weight post these treatments. All these depend on the amount of cervical tissue being removed. The specialist doctors can advise females regarding pregnancy at the Cervical Cancer Prevention in Santacruz.

Diagonalizations of Infertility in Females:

Given below are some reasons for females becoming infertile according to expert Gynaecologist, Dr. Shilpa.

  • Healthy eggs are not developed in ovaries
  • Disruption of hormones needed for egg release
  • A tumor or a small cyst pressing on the uterus, making it non-functional
  • Parts of the reproductive system are damaged, and egg release is prevented
  • A fertilized egg unable to grow inside the uterus
  • Problems occur for not allowing the fetus to grow through full pregnancy causing miscarriage.

Different types of surgeries and treatments causing various complications towards infertility provided by top-notch Gynaecologist, Dr. Shilpa is as follows:

  • Age of the patient and stage of development after puberty or after menopause.
  • Type of surgery for tumor removal inside ovaries
  • The different types of treatment given (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant)
  • The dosage of treatment given.

THE VARIOUS TREATMENTS FOR CERVICAL CANCER:

Surgery:

Surgery is advised by doctors for patients who develop a tumor near another reproductive organ like an ovary apart from the cervix. The whole uterus is removed by Hysterectomy surgery. If the uterus is removed, then a woman cannot get pregnant. Removal of the uterus is done for uterine (endometrial cancer) as well as cervical cancer. The expert doctors at the Center for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Santacruz can be consulted for prevention as well as remedies for post-cervical cancer treatment.

According to the expert Gynaecologist, Dr.Shilpa, an oophorectomy surgery is the best one to remove the ovaries. As ovaries hold a woman’s eggs, she cannot get pregnant without them. At times, the surgeon might try to save one ovary to preserve eggs, which can still allow a woman to become pregnant. The preserved ovary saves the hormones which help prevent menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The expert doctors at the Center for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Santacruz suggest women who are at high risk for breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers should opt for an oophorectomy.

Trachelectomy:

Thisis a surgery to remove the cervix (lower part of the uterus). This surgery does not touch the uterus. Therefore, a woman has the chance to go ahead with pregnancy!

Radiation Therapy:

Radiation treatments use high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation which is aimed at or around a woman’s reproductive organs can affect fertility. Radiation which is aimed at or around the ovaries damages them totally and affects their functioning.  

Chemotherapy:

This works by killing cells in the body which are dividing very quickly. The hormones such as estrogen, which helps release eggs each month and aids the uterus towards pregnancy are produced in the cells of the ovaries. As expert doctors state from the Center for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Santacruz, post-chemo treatment, women will go into premature menopause, thus impacting fertility!

Bone marrow or stem cell transplant:

This treatment involves receiving high doses of chemo and at times radiation to the whole body before the procedure. Thus, according to the expert Gynaecologist, Dr. Shilpa, this may permanently stop ovaries from releasing eggs, resulting in infertility for a lifetime of the patient!!

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