Stage 0 cervical cancer treatment options include which of the following as preferred local therapy?

Stage 0 cervical cancer treatment options include which of the following as preferred local therapy?

• A. Excision (LEEP or cold knife conization)
• B. Radiation therapy alone
• C. Palliative chemotherapy
• D. Observation

Answer: (A)

Stage 0 cervical cancer is carcinoma in situ, meaning the abnormal cells are confined to the surface epithelium and have not invaded deeper tissues. The aim is to remove the abnormal epithelium and obtain a tissue sample to confirm there’s no invasion, while preserving fertility when possible. An excisional procedure such as a loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP) or cold knife conization directly removes the lesion and provides margins to verify complete removal. Radiation therapy would be reserved for invasive disease, not noninvasive in situ disease, and chemotherapy is used for more advanced or metastatic cases. Observation alone risks progression to invasion, so active local treatment with excision is preferred.

Stage 0 cervical cancer is carcinoma in situ, meaning the abnormal cells are confined to the surface epithelium and have not invaded deeper tissues. The aim is to remove the abnormal epithelium and obtain a tissue sample to confirm there’s no invasion, while preserving fertility when possible. An excisional procedure such as a loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP) or cold knife conization directly removes the lesion and provides margins to verify complete removal. Radiation therapy would be reserved for invasive disease, not noninvasive in situ disease, and chemotherapy is used for more advanced or metastatic cases. Observation alone risks progression to invasion, so active local treatment with excision is preferred.