It is not necessary to remove the ovaries in a radical hysterectomy and one of the benefits of this approach is that ovarian function is preserved. This is important for younger women. Following a radical hysterectomy, a woman will no longer have menstrual periods, and will not be able to bear children, but will continue to have the female hormone estrogen in her body. Radical hysterectomy requires several days in the hospital and several weeks of recuperation afterwards. This type of operation should only be performed by the Gynecologic Oncologist.
Radiation therapy is as effective as radical hysterectomy for treating small cervical cancers.
When cancers are larger, however, radiation therapy is the preferred method. Radiation therapy is usually given in two phases. During the first phase, radiation is beamed to the tumor from the outside of the body. It is very similar to getting a chest x-ray, except that it lasts for a few minutes and typically is repeated daily over four to five weeks of time. This type of radiation does not hurt and many women continue to carry on a normal life during external radiation.