Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation
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Overview
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be used in combination with radiation therapy (chemoradiation) as a treatment for cervical cancer.
Other drug therapies for cervical cancer are targeted therapy, which attacks specific features of cancer cells, and immunotherapy, which helps the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth while causing the least possible damage to healthy cells. It may be given:
- in combination with radiation therapy (chemoradiation) as the main treatment for cervical cancer
- on its own or combined with other drug therapies.
In most cases, drugs are usually given through a vein (intravenously) during day visits to a hospital or clinic. Chemotherapy is usually given as a period of treatment followed by a break. This is called a cycle. The number of cycles you have depends on the type of cervical cancer and any other treatments you may be having. If you have chemotherapy without radiation therapy, you are likely to have up to 6 cycles (with a cycle every 3–4 weeks), though it may continue for longer.
Learn more about chemotherapy.
Side effects
The possible side effects depend on the drugs given, how often you have treatment, your general health, and whether you have chemotherapy alone or chemoradiation.
You may have nausea or vomiting; feel very tired (fatigue); or lose hair from your body or head. Temporary or permanent menopause may also occur.
Chemotherapy can reduce the number of blood cells in your body, so you will have regular blood tests during treatment to monitor this. Depending on the type of blood cells affected, you may feel very tired and be more likely to get infections. If your temperature rises to 38°C or above, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Most side effects of chemotherapy are temporary. Your doctor can help you to prevent or reduce them.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a drug treatment that attacks specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading. It may be used to treat advanced cervical cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or has come back.
It is usually given with chemotherapy every 3 weeks through a drip into a vein (infusion). The total number of infusions you receive will depend on how you respond to the drug.
Learn more about targeted therapy.
Side effects
The most common side effects include high blood pressure, feeling tired and loss of appetite. Less common side effects include bleeding, blood clots and problems with wound healing.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of drug treatment that helps the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. It may be offered to certain people with cervical cancer that has not responded to treatment, has spread or has come back. It is usually given at the same time as chemotherapy.
Learn more about immunotherapy.
Side effects
This treatment can have a range of side effects. Common side effects can include fatigue, diarrhoea, itching and joint pain.
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National Cervical Screening Program
Australian Government
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