Cervical Cancer 

It’s never easy to be diagnosed with cervical cancer. At Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, we’ll meet you where you are and support you and your loved ones during and after your treatment.  

About Cervical Cancer

The cervix is part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is located at the end of the vagina and just before the uterus. The bottom of the cervix can be seen and felt at the back of the vagina. OB/GYNs examine the cervix during a pelvic exam and collect cells from it. The cell collection is called a Pap test.    

How does cervical cancer develop?  

Abnormal cells growing on the outside or inside of the cervix cause cervical cancer. 

The human papilloma virus, or HPV, causes most cases of cervical cancer. It is also one of the only cancers that can be prevented with a vaccine. The HPV vaccine can stop cervical cancer before it starts. That’s why children starting at age 9 can receive the HPV vaccine. Some adults are eligible for the series of shots, too. Vaccinations can prevent HPV-related cancers. 

Why Choose Siteman

Siteman Cancer Center is the only cancer center in Missouri to be recognized as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks us among the top cancer facilities in the nation. As an NCI institution, we provide world-class patient care and conduct ground-breaking research.  

At Siteman Cancer Center, WashU Medicine physicians have the tools and expertise to make a unique treatment plan just for you. Our ongoing research programs and clinical trials mean that you will get the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment available for your cancer.  

Team-based, expert care

At Siteman, you don’t just have one doctor caring for you. You have an entire team of doctors, all of them with different specialties, from surgery to radiation therapy to drug therapy. Every doctor on your team will be an expert at treating cervical cancer and other cancers of the female reproductive system. These doctors are called “gynecologic oncologists.” Together, your WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologists will make a treatment plan for you that draws from their shared experience. 

Through this team-based approach, Siteman’s WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologists provide safe, innovative, and comprehensive care. 

Fertility-preserving surgical solutions

Patients with early-stage cervical cancer may be treated with surgery. We will always try to tailor surgery to our patients’ hopes and plans for their family. Our exceptional surgeons are sometimes able to remove the cervix without removing the uterus. This procedure is called a “radical trachelectomy.” It treats cervical cancer but leaves the uterus in place, so pregnancy is possible in the future. It is not available at most hospitals. 

Radiation Therapy

Many patients with cervical cancer will have radiation therapy. The WashU Medicine radiation oncologists at Siteman provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy. In addition to external-beam radiation therapy, we offer a highly-precise form of radiation therapy called brachytherapy. Brachytherapy delivers radiation inside the body, directly at the tumor site.  

Clinical Trials

Siteman’s clinical trials are research studies evaluating new cancer treatments. They give patients early access to drugs and procedures that could be more effective than the current standard of care. Siteman Cancer Center offers more clinical trials than any other facility in the region. When you come to Siteman, your team will recommend any trials that could be a good match for you. You can always ask to add clinical trials to your treatment plan.