The information on this page was reviewed and approved by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA.
This page was updated on November 4, 2020.
Cervical cancer forms in the cervix, the narrow organ at the bottom of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various treatment approaches may be recommended, depending on a number of factors, such as whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) beyond the cervix. Treatment options depend on an accurate diagnosis, making it important to work with experienced cancer doctors. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) our doctors are trained and experienced in delivering comprehensive cancer care, giving them the knowledge to help you make informed decisions about your care.
The cancer care teams at CTCA® use imaging techniques like PET scans to assess whether your lymph nodes or other tissues show signs of malignancy. Our surgical oncologists are experienced in both minimally invasive and more extensive procedures.
Concerned about your cervical cancer risk? Take our five-minute risk assessment, and get an action plan based on your answers.
At CTCA, cervical tumors are targeted with evidence-based treatments and technologies. Our multidisciplinary cervical cancer team may offer a variety of treatment approaches, and develop recommendations, based on each patient’s unique diagnosis and needs. Common cervical cancer treatments include:
Gynecologic oncology
A gynecologic oncologist, an oncologist with specialty training in cancers of the female reproductive system, including cervical cancer, customizes care plans for patients.
Surgery
A variety of procedures may be performed, depending on the type and stage of cervical cancer, as well as your individual fertility concerns.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is recommended for a significant percentage of women treated for cervical tumors.
Radiation therapy
Radiation treatments are often combined with chemotherapy to treat advanced-stage disease.
Targeted therapy
These drugs are designed to identify and counteract unique qualities of specific cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs may be recommended to stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
Treatments for cervical cancer often cause a number of side effects that may impact patients’ quality of life, including pain, nausea and malnutrition. Our cancer experts understand that managing these side effects is important to your recovery and your quality of life. Each patient has access to a team of supportive care clinicians to help manage disease-related side effects before, during and after treatment. Some of those therapies for cervical cancer patients may include:
Our behavioral health support program is designed to support you and your caregivers before, during and after cancer treatment.
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Cervical tumors develop when cells that line the cervix begin to grow abnormally. Sometimes, abnormal cells repair themselves, but those that don’t may become cancerous.
Once a leading cause of death, cervical cancer rates have declined in the United States in large part because of routine Pap screening. The Pap test may find changes in the cervix before cancer develops and also detect cervical cancer in its earliest stage. Because cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the HPV vaccine has significantly decreased cases of HPV, and experts believe this trend will significantly decrease cases of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers in the future.
"The care I received at CTCA still amazes me. I felt genuine concern and empathy. If I was having a meltdown moment, someone was there to hand me a tissue. No one made me feel silly about the questions I had, and my questions were answered. At CTCA, I felt like my doctor cared, and that he takes the time to care. I don’t see him or the members of my care team checking their watches during an appointment with me. That alone is extraordinary to me."
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