Surgical Treatment Options for Cervical Cancer

Our surgical team performs more than 1,500 gynecologic surgeries each year, and consistently ranks as one of the top centers in the country for surgical care. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Brigham and Women’s Hospital the #1 hospital in the nation in obstetrics and gynecology for the last two years.

All surgery is performed by BWH’s surgeons at BWH. Our surgeons use the most advanced technology available. Our team of surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, gynecologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists have decades of experience caring for patients with cervical cancer.

In some cases, surgery may be the only treatment needed for cervical cancer. Surgical options may include:

• Total hysterectomy is surgery to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix.
• Radical hysterectomy is surgery to remove the entire uterus, part of the vagina and some surrounding tissue. In some cases, the ovaries, fallopian tubes or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
• Total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy is surgery to remove the uterus plus one or both ovaries and one or both fallopian tubes.
• Cone biopsy sentinel lymph node removal may be recommended for patients desiring fertility sparing surgery. A small procedure to remove a portion of the cervix with laparoscopic evaluation of the lymph nodes that drain the cervix, may be recommended.
• Radical trachelectomy is surgery to remove the entire cervix and the pelvic lymph nodes. This procedure might be an option for patients who want to preserve their fertility and have larger tumors.

The Day of Surgery

On the day of surgery, you will be cared for in the operating room by our surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses who specialize in cervical cancer surgery. After surgery, you will recover in the post-surgical care unit where you will receive comprehensive care from our experienced surgical and nursing staff. The length of your hospital stay will depend on the type of surgery you have.

You will likely experience some pain for the first few days after surgery, but your care team will prescribe medicine to help control any pain. We utilize Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for all of our patients, which has been proven to improve post-operative outcomes and recovery. Talk with your care team if you have questions about pain relief.

After Surgery

Recovery time after you leave the hospital varies from patient to patient, but it may take a month or more. You may feel tired or weak for several weeks after your surgery. You may have constipation from using pain medicine, not moving around or not eating or drinking very much. Talk with your doctor about how to prevent and treat constipation.

If you have any questions about your surgery, talk with your health care team. They can help you know what to expect before, during and after your surgery. Learn more about your hospital stay and returning home.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

If you are not eligible for surgery, our team will work with you on non-surgical treatment options, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical trials, in addition to treatments for any symptoms you may have. Your care team will work to control the spread of your cancer and manage your symptoms.

Learn more about non-surgical treatment options for cervical cancer.