Lymph nodes in the area are also removed. This is called lymph node dissection. This is called an exenteration and is rarely needed. Plastic surgery may be needed to make an artificial vagina after this operation. Radiation may be used alone or in addition to surgery.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle inserted into a vein. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and can kill cancer cells outside the cervix. Treatment by Stage Treatments for cancer of the cervix depend on the stage of the disease, the size of the tumor, and the patient's age, overall condition, and desire to have children. Treatment of cervical cancer during pregnancy may be delayed depending on the stage of the cancer and how many months a patient has been pregnant. Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered.