Types of Treatment for Cervical Cancer in Florida

A woman’s cervix protects her uterus and helps maintain a pregnancy. When malignant cells are found on the cervix, that patient is diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Most patients who receive this diagnosis do not have any symptoms. Rather, they rely on their healthcare providers to recommend and complete the appropriate screenings such as pelvic exams and PAP smears. When a physician fails to offer or perform them, or when there is a mistake with reading or reporting an abnormal finding, patients are put a risk.

If you or a loved one recently received this diagnosis, you can ask a local attorney about types of treatment for cervical cancer in West Palm Beach. Treatments are more effective the sooner they begin. If you were misdiagnosed or received a delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer, you might want to discuss your legal options with qualified legal counsel.

The Importance of Early Detection

In most cases, cervical cancer grows slowly over time. Before cells of the cervix become cancerous, they become abnormal and distinct and can be detected by most PAP smears. It is important to note that a physician who delays a patient’s diagnosis of cervical cancer or misdiagnoses their condition could be held liable for medical negligence.

If the abnormal cells are left untreated, they can become cancerous and spread deeper into the cervix as well as other parts of the body, such as the uterus and ovaries. Once cervical cancer becomes this progressed, types of treatment in West Palm Beach may be limited and less successful, so it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.

Treatment Options for Local Cervical Cancer Patients

There are several types of treatment for cervical cancer available in West Palm Beach. A patient’s doctor should discuss options with them and help them understand why certain treatments may or may not be advisable in their circumstances. For instance, a more aggressive treatment may be required if the cancer is advanced.

Surgery could be used to remove cancerous cells from the cervix. Surgical procedures also allows doctors to remove the cervix and uterus completely when necessary.

Alternatively, there are several options which are less invasive but more intensive. Radiation therapy, for example, is administered either externally or internally and kills cancer cells and prevents them from spreading.

Chemotherapy uses cancer-killing drugs to systemically or regionally stop the growth and progression of cancerous cells. Targeted therapy involves drugs or other substances to find and kill only cancerous cells and not normal, healthy ones. Finally, immunotherapy works to boost, direct, or reestablish the body’s inherent defenses against cancer.

Some patients receive multiple treatments depending on their condition. For instance, some have surgery on the cervix and subsequently receive radiation to ensure that all of the cancer cells are destroyed. Patients who are currently pregnant or already have health issues such as immune disorders will likely need a specialized care plan to protect their health during treatment.

Learn More about Types of Treatment for Cervical Cancer in West Palm Beach from an Attorney

Receiving a diagnosis of cervical cancer is often overwhelming and scary. Learning about the types of treatment for cervical cancer in West Palm Beach from a professional legal representative could help you feel more at ease. If your cervical cancer diagnosis came later than it should have due to malpractice on the part of your doctor, reach out to a compassionate attorney today to learn about your legal rights.