Treatment of cervical cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage, the size and shape of the tumor, the age and general health of the woman, and her desire for future childbearing.

In its earliest stages, the disease is curable by removing or destroying the pre-cancerous or cancerous tissue. This can often be done in various ways without removing the uterus or damaging the cervix so that a woman is still capable of having children.

In other cases, a simple removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) is performed, with or without removal of the ovaries. In more advanced disease, a radical hysterectomy may be performed which removes the uterus and much of the surrounding tissues, including internal lymph nodes. In the most extreme surgery, called a pelvic exenteration, all of the organs of the pelvis, including the bladder and rectum, are removed.

Radiation or chemotherapy may be used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the pelvis, or has recurred. There are two kinds of radiation treatment: a device loaded with radioactive pellets which is placed into the vagina near the cancer and kept in place for a certain period of time, or an external device which beams radiation into the target areas during visits to the radiotherapist. A variety of chemotherapeutic drugs, or combinations of them, are used. Sometimes radiation and chemotherapy are used before or after surgery.

• The type of cancer
• The stage of the disease
• The age and general physical condition of the woman

The 5-year survival rates (the chance of still being alive 5 years after the diagnosis) for women with cervical cancer who have appropriate treatment are approximately:

• 80-85% for tumors limited to the cervix and uterus
• 60-80% when the upper part of the vagina is involved
• 30-50% for tumors beyond the cervix and upper vagina, but still in the pelvis
• 14% when the cancer has invaded the bladder or rectum or has spread beyond the pelvis

Without treatment, or when treatment fails, cervical cancer is fatal within 2 years for about 95% of women.

• Some types of cervical cancer are less responsive to treatment.
• There may be a recurrence of cancer.
• Women who are treated with methods that preserve the uterus are at high risk of recurrence.
• Surgery and radiation can result in reduced sexual function and altered bowel and bladder function.

• Every year initially, and for women over the age of 35
• Every year for women who have had multiple sexual partners or a history of HPV or genital warts
• Every year for women who are taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• Every 2 to 3 years for some women up to age 35 who have had three negative, consecutive Pap smears, or for women who have had a hysterectomy for non-cancer reasons (if they are otherwise at low risk)
• As often as is recommended after an abnormal pap smear
• As often as is recommended after evaluation and treatment of cervical pre-cancer or cancer