Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in young women. After receiving a diagnosis, many patients wish to know how their fertility will be impacted. Both cancer and its treatments can have possible complications. However, if caught in the early stages, it may be possible to preserve fertility. Here, Richmond University Medical Center explores the relationship between cervical cancer and pregnancy, including its treatments and the chances of pregnancy afterward.
Cervical Cancer and Pregnancy
Cervical cancer during pregnancy is rare. When it does occur, it is often identified early. Pregnancy often involves frequent prenatal care assistance to monitor the health of the mother and fetus. This provides ample opportunity to notice cancer in its earliest stages.
Once cancer is identified, the patient’s physician will consider their personal wishes when discussing treatment options. If the cancer is in its early stages, and if it is growing slowly, it may not need to be treated immediately. Treatment may be delayed long enough to carry the pregnancy to term. If the cancer is in late stages or accelerating quickly, the cancer treatment plan – and the chances of a successful pregnancy – will depend on the trimester.
Treating Cancer in the First Trimester
In the first trimester, if the cancer is Stage I and slow-growing, the care team may recommend delaying treatment until after delivery. They may also suggest early delivery via C-section. The C-section may be performed simultaneously with a hysterectomy – a surgery to remove the uterus and cervix. While the pregnancy will be successful, the patient cannot become pregnant again.
If the cancer is late-stage or fast-growing, immediate treatment may be necessary. Treatment options for late-stage cancer include:
- Hysterectomy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
First trimester pregnancy cannot be continued through any of these treatments. Hysterectomy removes the uterus, and both radiation therapy and chemotherapy are potentially harmful to fetuses.
Treating Cancer in the Second and Third Trimesters
During the second or third trimesters, if Stage I cervical cancer is diagnosed, the physician may suggest immediate treatment. Surgical options include:
- Cold knife conization: This approach uses a scalpel to remove a cone-shaped section of tissue from the cervix or cervical canal, removing the cancer.
- Radial trachelectomy: This approach removes the cervix and upper vagina. A special stitch or band keeps the uterus closed. Delivery will be carried out via C-section.
Late-stage cervical cancer may be treated using chemotherapy. During the second or third trimester, the fetus is well-developed enough to withstand most forms of chemotherapy. It may, however, cause early labor. The physician may also recommend early delivery via C-section to enable a hysterectomy or radiation therapy.
Pregnancy After Cancer Treatment
Whether or not a patient can become pregnant after cancer treatment depends on the treatment they receive. Chemotherapy does not typically affect fertility. Radiation therapy may or may not. Some women can become pregnant after recovery; others may not.
Surgical options are equally variable. Cold knife conization does not impact future pregnancies. While radial trachelectomy also allows future pregnancies, they may come with higher rates of complication during pregnancy and labor. A C-section may be recommended to ensure safe delivery. Hysterectomy, meanwhile, eliminates the uterus and surrounding structures. Future pregnancies are not possible after a hysterectomy.
Women who undergo a hysterectomy or radiation therapy can still have a biological child through assisted reproductive technology. This involves egg freezing, sometimes before treatment to avoid radiation damage, followed by in vitro fertilization of a surrogate.
Cancer Treatment at Richmond University Medical Center
Cervical cancer and its treatments can end pregnancies and have a long-term effect on future ones, which is why it is important not to delay. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it can be treated successfully with methods that do not impact fertility.
The Oncology Department at Richmond University Medical Center seeks to educate patients throughout Staten Island, New York, on the signs and treatment options for all kinds of cancer, including cervical cancer. With advanced diagnostic care and a variety of treatment options, patients can experience greater chances for successful treatment and recovery.
Richmond Health Network is also home to an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department focused on the health and well-being of both pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Gynecologists work closely with oncologists to ensure the best outcomes when cancer interferes with pregnancy.
Learn More About Cervical Cancer
Cancer can have a significant impact on a patient’s current and future pregnancies. Fortunately, with a prompt diagnosis and response, it may be possible to treat cancer while protecting a pregnancy. Richmond University Medical Center treats cancer for patients throughout Staten Island, NY. Contact us to learn more about cervical cancer and pregnancy or to schedule an appointment.
