![Major new trial underway for more effective cervical cancer treatment](https://chadlaw.dnsupdate.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Injection-needle.jpg)
01
Mar 2019
Major new trial underway for more effective cervical cancer treatment
Cervical cancer is highly curable when caught early. It is usually caused by the HPV virus, which affects most people at some stage in their life, but usually clears up on it’s own.
Young girls are currently vaccinated against the virus, but in women who haven’t received the vaccine, the virus causes changes to the cells in the cervix, which can eventually lead to cancer.
Once the cancer has been diagnosed, treatment options include surgery to remove the cervix and often any affected surrounding tissue, or to have a hysterectomy, involving the removal of the womb.
Another alternative treatment is radiotherapy which when combined with brachytherapy, has equivalent results to surgery.
The new trial is named ‘interstitial’ brachytherapy, where hollow needles of up to one feet long are inserted into the tissue where the cancer has spread, following a general anaesthetic.
Once the needles are in position, the patient is woken and an MRI and CT scan are taken to ensure the needles are in the correct place. A simulation of the treatment is carried out for two years before the insertion of the radiotherapy machine.
A computer-assisted model is then used to deliver a high dose to the target and the lowest possible dose to any unaffected organs close by.
The process is completed in around six hours.
Brachytherapy, combined with external radiotherapy, is also currently treating prostate cancer in men.
The treatment costs the NHS around £1,800.
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
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