New developments in the treatment of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is world-wide the second most frequent cancer found in women and represents 12% of all female malignancies. In fact, it is the most common female cancer in developing countries. There is now sufficient evidence to recommend that women with locally advanced cervical cancer confined to the pelvis receive concurrent pelvic radiation and chemotherapy. New surgical techniques such as laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy and trachelectomy (a fertility-preserving radical operation technique) are being established and have to be evaluated for their long-term safety. Causal treatment by developing multivalent antiviral drugs and vaccines is no longer a pure theoretical approach. Despite these improvements, the early diagnosis by colposcopy and gynaecological cytology remains the safest method to ensure early treatment avoiding death of cervical cancer.