Once your care team has the results of your diagnostic tests and has assigned a stage to your cancer, our specialists from both Brigham and Women’s and Dana-Farber — including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists — will work with you and your family to develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you.
In addition to excellent state-of-the art clinical care, our team also provides many supportive services. Our dedicated patient navigator and specialized nursing staff are available to help you through each stage of treatment and connect you with the many supportive services we offer. These include fertility preservation, nutritional counseling, emotional and spiritual support, financial advice and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, Reiki and meditation. We also offer specialized palliative care, for pain relief, to all cancer patients.
Throughout your treatment, we want you to feel like you’re an active participant in your care. Please talk with your care team about your treatment goals and always feel free to ask questions during your appointments. Your care team works at both the Brigham and Dana-Farber campuses in Boston. You may have appointments at either BWH or DFCI, but we are connected by a bridge, so you will never have to step foot outside if needing to travel between hospitals.
Your treatment options will be based on your health history and the stage of your cancer. You may have one or more of the treatment options listed below.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to shrink and kill cancer cells. The two main radiation therapy approaches used at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center are external radiation therapy (external beam therapy), which beams radiation directly to the cancer cells from outside of the body, and internal radiation therapy (implant therapy), in which pellets that emit radiation are implanted into the body.
The Department of Radiation Oncology has two separate units, one at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the other at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, staffed by providers who work at both locations. If your treatment includes radiation therapy, your health care team will decide with you which is the right location for you.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy, or chemo, uses medicine to shrink and kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with surgery to treat cervical cancer. You may be given more than one type of chemo to treat cervical cancer. Your health care provider can give you more information about which chemo you’re getting.
Learn more about how chemotherapy is used to treat cervical cancer.
Immunotherapy: We provide all state-of-the-art treatments, including incorporating immunotherapy into the treatment of advanced cervical cancer.
Learn how immunotherapy use the body's own immune system to combat diseases.
Clinical Trials: Patients with cervical cancer may also be eligible to participate in clinical trials at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. Clinical trials study the effectiveness of new cancer treatments and may offer benefits to patients with varying stages of cervical cancer. Previous clinical studies have resulted in a variety of new treatments that have helped to advance the field of cancer medicine. Ask your healthcare team if this may be an option for you.
The Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery (CIRS) at Brigham and Women's Hospital is one of the few centers in the world that provides options for women to preserve fertility before undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgical treatment. Our specialized services include options such as egg and embryo freezing, ovarian tissue replacement, and leuprolide acetate (Lupron) treatment, as well as evaluation and treatment of cancer survivors who are experiencing infertility.
Learn more about fertility preservation.
When it comes to treating cervical cancer, your surgeon will tailor the approach based on various factors, including the cancer's stage and location. Learn more about surgical treatment options for cervical cancer.
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