How is cervical cancer treated?

Doctors first confirm the diagnosis and assess how far the cancer has grown. An early cancer may be removed with an operation that takes out the affected area or the cervix and nearby tissues. Some people may discuss fertility-sparing surgery when it is medically suitable.

Radiotherapy can target the cervix and surrounding area, sometimes with chemotherapy given alongside it to strengthen the radiation effect. Chemotherapy may also be used when cancer has spread or to reduce the chance of cancer returning after local treatment. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells and may be considered for particular tumour features or stages.

Take your pathology and staging results to a gynaecologic oncology appointment. Ask which treatment is recommended first, what each visit involves, and whether a second opinion would add useful information. Before treatment, discuss pregnancy plans, contraception, sexual health, nutrition, medicines and support for side effects. A cervical screening test and colposcopy are assessment tools, not substitutes for a treatment plan once cancer is confirmed.

Keep a written list of medicines and symptoms. Tell the team promptly about fever, heavy bleeding, increasing pelvic pain, difficulty passing urine, or new bowel symptoms during treatment.

Seek urgent medical help for bleeding that soaks through protection quickly, faintness, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, or a high temperature during cancer treatment. Arrange a prompt assessment for bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, or persistent pelvic pain; these symptoms can have several causes and need evaluation rather than self-diagnosis.

Which stage and tumour features guide my treatment? What are the aims of each option? Will treatment affect fertility, periods, sex or bladder and bowel function? How will side effects be prevented and managed? Which symptoms should make me call the oncology team immediately?