Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth while causing the least possible damage to healthy cells.
Learn more about:
How chemotherapy is given
Chemotherapy 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.
Side effects of chemotherapy
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.
Learn more about chemotherapy and managing cancer side effects.
Find information on chemotherapy in Arabic, Greek, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.
→ READ MORE: Other drug therapies for cervical cancer
Video: What is chemotherapy?
Watch this video to learn more about chemotherapy (Open Settings 
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Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC; Angelyn Aligarbes, Consumer; A/Prof Emma Allanson, Gynaecological Oncologist and Head of Dept, Gynaecologic Oncology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, WA; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist Specialist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC; Danielle Carpenter, Gynaecology Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Pearly Khaw, Lead Radiation Oncologist – Gynae-Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Georgina Richter, Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Research Fellow, Cancer Elimination Collaboration, University of Sydney, NSW; Sophia Wooldridge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital, NSW; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
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