Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer and Pregnancy

Pregnant women generally do not develop cervical cancer. A woman who does, and whose disease is diagnosed at a very early stage, can safely continue her pregnancy. However, physicians usually recommend either:

• A cesarean section (delivery of the baby through an incision in the abdominal wall) followed by hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) for delivery and treatment, or
• A vaginal delivery with hysterectomy several weeks later.

If a pregnant woman has advanced cervical cancer, she and her partner, together with the physician, must decide whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy.

A woman who decides to terminate the pregnancy usually undergoes a hysterectomy and/or radiation therapy. If the woman decides to continue the pregnancy, the baby should be delivered by cesarean section as soon as it is able to survive outside the womb.

Immediate treatment is the safest option for a pregnant woman with advanced cervical cancer.