Cervical Cancer Treatments

Treatment

Once cervical cancer is found, further tests are performed to find out if the cancer has spread beyond the cervix, and, if so, to what extent. This process is called staging. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.

Treatments include:

Surgery

The cancerous tumor, nearby tissue, and possibly nearby lymph nodes may be removed. The doctor may remove only the tumor and surrounding normal tissue if the tumor is very localized within the cervix. In some cases, a hysterectomy is necessary.

If the cancer is at a high stage, more tissue must be removed. Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes also are removed.

Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)

Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be given in two ways:

External radiation therapy—radiation directed at the tumor from a source outside the body
Internal radiation therapy—radioactive materials placed in or near the cancer cells

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of toxic drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms including: pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. It kills mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells. Chemotherapy alone rarely cures cervical cancer. It may be used in addition to surgery and/or radiation.

This therapy may also be used to help control pain and bleeding when a cure is no longer possible.

Chemotherapy is usually combined with radiation therapy.

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, follow your doctor's instructions .

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