Drug treatments for cervical cancer

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment using drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy for cervical cancer may be given:

• At the same time as radiotherapy to make the treatment work better (chemoradiation)
• As a treatment on its own for advanced cervical cancer

Chemotherapy is given in cycles with a rest period between treatments. This rest period allows your body time to recover from the side-effects of treatment. The drugs are usually given into a vein as an injection or through a drip (infusion). It may also be given in tablet form. Treatment is usually given in the chemotherapy day unit.

Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies are drugs that target certain parts of cancer cells that make them different from other cells. In other words, they take advantage of differences between normal cells and cancer cells. Some drugs are given in tablet form. Others are given into a vein through a drip. 

Sometimes a treatment called bevacizumab is given for advanced cervical cancer. It is usually given in combination with chemotherapy drugs. New targeted therapies are being developed all the time and existing therapies are being used in new ways.

You may also be given a targeted therapy as part of a clinical trial. Ask your doctor if there are any targeted therapies available to treat your cancer or if there are any trials that are suitable for you.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy drugs help the body’s natural defences or immune system to fight cancer cells. The newest class of systemic therapy (cancer treatment that targets the entire body) are immune checkpoint inhibitors. Checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking proteins that stop the immune system from killing cancer cells. One type of checkpoint inhibitor used in treating cervical cancer is Pembrolizumab. It is sometimes used to treat advanced cervical cancer.

These types of treatments are not suitable for everyone. Your doctor and nurse will discuss your treatment options with you.