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Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Key points

  • Cervical cancer can be treated in several ways. It depends on the type of cervical cancer and how far it has spread.
  • Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
  • If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist.
a cervical cancer patient in a hospital bed talking to her doctor

Overview

If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.

Treatment options

The extent of disease is referred to as the stage. Information about the size of the cancer or how far it has spread is often used to determine the stage. Doctors use this information to plan treatment and to monitor progress.

Cervical cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of cervical cancer and how far it has spread.

Cancer treatment may include:

  • Surgery: An operation in which doctors cut out the cancer.
  • Chemotherapy: Use of special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
  • Radiation therapy: Use of high-energy rays (similar to x-rays) to kill the cancer.
  • Immunotherapy: Works with your body's immune system to help it fight cancer cells or to control side effects from other cancer treatments.
  • Targeted therapy: Use of drugs to block the growth and spread of cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins. You will get tests to see if targeted therapy is right for your cancer type before this treatment is used.

For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute's Cervical Cancer Treatment. This site can also help you find health care services.

Which treatment is right for me?

Talk to your cancer doctor about the treatment options available for your type and stage of cancer. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and their side effects. Side effects are how your body reacts to drugs or other treatments.

Sometimes people get an opinion from more than one cancer doctor. This is called a "second opinion." Getting a second opinion may help you choose the treatment that is right for you.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials use new treatment options to see if they are safe and effective. If you have cancer, you may want to take part. Visit the sites listed below for more information.

Complementary and alternative medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine are medicines and health practices that are not standard cancer treatments. Complementary medicine is used in addition to standard treatments. Alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatments. Acupuncture and supplements like vitamins and herbs are some examples.

Many kinds of complementary and alternative medicine have not been tested scientifically and may not be safe. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before you start any kind of complementary or alternative medicine.

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Division of Cancer Prevention and Control