Surgery

Surgery to remove the cancer depends on the location and extent of cervical cancer and your desire to be able to have children. You also may be given radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of the two (chemoradiation). These treatments may be given before or after surgery to try to destroy any cancer cells that may remain or to help control or shrink the tumor.

Surgery choices

Surgery for very early stages of cervical cancer may preserve your ability to have children. Surgeries include:

• A cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). This removes a wedge of cervical tissue that contains the cancer.
• Radical trachelectomy. This removes the cervix, part of the vagina, and the pelvic lymph nodes (lymph node dissection). But the uterus is left in place.

Surgery for most stages of cervical cancer does not preserve your ability to have children. Surgeries include:

• Hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries. This removes the cervix and related organs where recurrence would be most likely.
• Modified radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. A radical hysterectomy usually includes removal of part of the vagina, the uterus, the ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. It removes the most likely sites of cancer and may reduce the risk of recurrence.

Dealing with side effects of surgery

Side effects from surgery can include difficulty with urination or problems with bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea. Your ability to have or enjoy sexual intercourse may also be affected.

Home treatment may help relieve some common side effects of cancer treatment. For more information, see Home Treatment.