Treatments for cervical cancer

If you have cervical cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for cervical cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the stage of the cancer
  • your age
  • your general health
  • whether or not you want to become pregnant in the future
  • what you prefer or want

Expert review and references

  • Guideline Resource Unit (GURU). Cancer of the Uterine Cervix. Edmonton: Alberta Health Services; 2021: Clinical Practice Guideline GYNE-004 Version: 6. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/cancerguidelines.aspx.
  • American Cancer Society. Treating Cervical Cancer. 2021. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • Chuang LT, Temin S, Berek JS. Management and care of patients with invasive cervical cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline Rapid Recommendation Update. JCP Global Oncology. 8:1-4.
  • Cibula D, Raspollini MR, Planchamp F, Centeno C, Chargari C, et al. ESGO/ESTRO/ESP Guidelines for the management of patients with cervical cancer – Update 2023. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2023: 33:649-666.
  • Hacker N, Jackson M, Vermorken J. Cervical cancer. Berek JS, Hacker NF (eds.). Berek and Hacker's Gynecologic Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2021: Kindle version, [Chapter 9].
  • Jorgensen K, Rauh-Hain JA, Klopp AH. Cancer of the cervix. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, [chapter 48], https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Cervical Cancer Version 1.2023. 2023.
  • Oleszewski K. Cervical cancer. Yarbro CH, Wujcik D, Gobel B (eds.). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Burlington, MA: Jone & Bartlett Learning; 2018: Kindle version, [chapter 50], https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Cervical Cancer Treatment] (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2023. https://www.cancer.gov/.

Treatments for stage 1 cervical cancer

Surgery is the main treatment for stage 1 cervical cancer. Learn about treatments for stage 1 cervical cancer.

Treatments for stage 2 cervical cancer

Chemoradiation and surgery are treatments for stage 2 cervical cancer. Learn about treatments for stage 2 cervical cancer.

Treatments for stage 3 cervical cancer

Chemoradiation and surgery are treatments for stage 3 cervical cancer. Learn about treatments for stage 3 cervical cancer.

Treatments for stage 4 cervical cancer

Treatment of stage 4 cervical cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy and surgery. Learn about treatments for stage 4 cervical cancer.

Treatments for recurrent cervical cancer

Treatment of recurrent cervical cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and surgery. Learn about treatments for recurrent cervical cancer.

Surgery for cervical cancer

There are different surgeries used to treat cervical cancer such as cone biopsy and hysterectomy. Learn about surgery for cervical cancer.

Radiation therapy for cervical cancer

Radiation therapy is used to treat cervical cancer. Learn about the types of radiation therapy used for cervical cancer.

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat cervical cancer. Learn how and when chemotherapy is used and which chemotherapy drugs are used.

Targeted therapy for cervical cancer

Targeted therapy is sometimes used to treat cervical cancer. Learn about targeted therapy drugs used to treat cervical cancer.

Immunotherapy for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is sometimes treated with immunotherapy. It helps strengthen the immune system to fight cancer.

Follow-up after treatment for cervical cancer

Follow-up after cervical cancer treatment varies. Learn about scheduled follow-up appointments and the procedures and tests that may be done.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


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