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. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for most stages of cancer of the cervix.
Stage 0 cervical cancer Stage 0 cervical cancer is sometimes called carcinoma in situ. Internal radiation therapy. Radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection. Radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection followed by radiation therapy plus chemotherapy. Radiation therapy plus chemotherapy.