Cancer of the Cervix

How is cervical cancer treated?

The main treatments for cervical cancer are:

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for cervical cancer. It aims to remove the part of your cervix containing the tumour. There are different types of surgery, which include:

• Cone biopsy – a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from your cervix.
• Trachelectomy – your cervix and nearby tissues are removed but your womb is left in place.
• Partial hysterectomy – your cervix and womb are removed.
• Radical hysterectomy – your cervix, womb and top of your vagina are removed.
• Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – your ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed during a hysterectomy.
• Lymphadenectomy – the lymph nodes in your pelvis are removed.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells in your cervix. It can be given before surgery neo-adjuvant therapy and after surgery adjuvant therapy . Radiotherapy to the cervix can be given in two ways: externally and internally. Please see our Understanding Radiotherapy booklet for more information about radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to cure or control your cancer. It can be given before surgery neo-adjuvant therapy and after surgery adjuvant therapy . It can be used alone or in combination with radiotherapy.
Some common chemotherapy drugs used are:

• cisplatin
• carboplatin
• paclitaxel
• docetaxel
• ifosfamide
• topotecan

Please see our Understanding Chemotherapy booklet for more about chemotherapy. For more about drugs, visit our webpage on chemotherapy drugs .

PreviousNext

Back to main menu

Get your company involved

Live chat with a cancer nurse by AliveChat

• Message board
• Cancer Information
• Online Shop
• Upcoming Events