Is There a Treatment for Cervical Cancer While You Are Pregnant?

Cervical cancer is very rarely diagnosed in pregnant women. If it has been diagnosed, the treatment for the cervical cancer will depend on how far the cancer has advanced, what stage the pregnancy is in and the personal wishes of the woman involved.

Early Detection

• Detection of cervical cancer is done by a pap smear. A pap smear detects abnormal cells in the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer. If pre-cancerous cells or abnormal cells are found, then treatment will be advised by your health care provider.

Types of Treatment Before Cervical Cancer

• Treatment for abnormal cells that have not become cancerous include excision (cutting out the cells), electrocautery (burns the abnormal cells), cryosurgery (abnormal cells are frozen), laser vaporization, radical trachelectomy (removal of the entire cervix), or conization (removal of an area of the cells).

Treatment for Cervical Cancer

• If the abnormal cells found during a pap smear have already become cancerous, then treatment could involve a hysterectomy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy or a combination of the latter two.

Cervical Cancer While Pregnant

• According to Epigee, a pregnancy and women's health resource, a woman diagnosed with cervical cancer in its early stages may be able to delay treatment of the cancer until after delivery. A woman with more advance stages of cervical cancer may need to terminate the pregnancy.

Expert Insight

• Dr. Christina S. Chu recommends that if cervical cancer is detected, you should speak with your obstetrician and a gynecologic oncologist to find the right plan for delivery and treatment of the cancer.