Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Main Page

Risk Factors

Symptoms

Talking to Your Doctor

Living With Cervical Cancer

Resource Guide

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cervical cancer cells. The drugs travel through the blood to the cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used:

Before surgery—to shrink the tumor and how much tissue needs to be removed
With radiation therapy—to decrease tumor size
To help ease the symptoms of spreading cancer, and to increase survival time

Chemotherapy Drugs and Delivery

There are many chemotherapy drugs. The ones that are used depend on the type of cancer and the person's reaction to drugs. Chemotherapy drugs for cervical cancer may include:

Cisplatin
Carboplatin
Taxol
Paclitaxel
Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Bevacizumab
Irinotecan
Mitomycin
Topotecan
Vinorelbine
Pembrolizumab
Larotrectinib or entrectinib

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer is most often given through an IV. Some forms can be given by mouth. It is given in cycles over a set period of time. A cancer doctor will determine the number of cycles and type of drugs.

Side Effects and Management

The drugs affect cancer cells and healthy cells. This can lead to side effects. The cancer doctor will try to find the best drugs to treat the cancer and reduce the side effects. Side effects may include:

Changes in menstrual periods
Early menopause, which can be short-term or lasting
Needing to pass stools or urine quickly or often
Numbness, pain, or burning sensation in the hands and feet—peripheral neuropathy
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Tiredness due to anemia
Problems thinking

There are many treatments to help manage side effects. They include medicines, lifestyle changes, and alternative treatments. If side effects are severe, the doctor may try different medicines.

Some side effects may be long-term. It depends on which drugs are used.

REFERENCES:

Cervical cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cervical-cancer. Accessed April 19, 2021.

Cervical cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/gynecologic-tumors/cervical-cancer. Accessed April 19, 2021.

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/treating/chemotherapy.html. Accessed April 19, 2021.

Marquina G, Manzano A, et al. Targeted agents in cervical cancer: beyond bevacizumab. Curr Oncol Rep. 2018 Apr 2;20(5):40.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/patient/cervical-treatment-pdq#section/_180. Accessed April 19, 2021.

Last reviewed March 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP Last Updated: 10/12/2021

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