All cancer treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can remove tumours, except through different mechanisms. While surgery physically takes the tumour out of the body, radiotherapy destroys tumour cells where they are by specifically targeting the DNA of those cells and causing them to die off. The body then clears away the dead cells on its own, resulting in the same outcome as surgery.

The pelvis is a narrow space with numerous critical organs, nerves and muscles within it. Surgery in the pelvis has several limitations as cutting beyond certain boundaries can result in damage of these critical structures resulting in permanent symptoms such as lower limb numbness/weakness and urinary or bowel incontinence. In addition, if surgery is attempted in advanced or bulky cancers which have spread beyond those boundaries, there is a high chance that tumour cells will be left behind, resulting in worst outcomes.

These above reasons are why surgery is only recommended for early-stage cervical cancer.

Brachytherapy refers to internal radiotherapy where applicators are inserted into the body and next to the tumour to deliver radiation directly to the target. It is usually performed in tumour sites which are assessable from the outside of the body i.e., cervix, prostate, breast.

Brachytherapy is an essential component in the radiotherapy treatment of cervical cancer as it allows a high dose boost to the tumour. Without brachytherapy, it will be almost impossible to deliver the total doses necessary to effect a cure.

Brachytherapy is a procedure that only certain specially trained radiation oncologists can perform. Skill and technique are required to ensure accurate placement of applicators and ensuring the right amount of dose is delivered safely to the tumour.

Click here to find out more about the brachytherapy procedure.