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Cervical cancer treatment - fertility

Captain86
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Hi everyone,

My girlfriend has been diagnosed with a cervical tumor, which is located at the end of her cervix, close to her vagina. The tumor as the MRI says is at least 30x27x33 mm. I recognize that it's really big and my girlfriend will need the kind of treatment that will deprive her of her fertility but I just wanted to post here in the small chance someone would tell me otherwise. We both wanted to have a child soon and it's cruel that we won't be able to. Her appointment with her oncologist is on Monday so we will find more then but I can't stand the wait. Is there any chance for a partial removal of the cervix in her condition? Or is it practically mandatory for her survival for a complete hysterectomy and chemo/radio?

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    Hi

    I'm so sorry that you and your girlfriend are having to go through this.

    I'm currently undergoing treatment for cancer, not cervical but another gynaecological cancer. I'm having 25 radiotherapy sessions and weekly chemo. My husband and I don't have children and unfortunately because it is pelvic radiotherapy that I am having it will affect my fertility.

    I wouldn't want to guess about the partial removal of her cervix or a hysterectomy but what I do know is that before I started treatment I was given advice about my fertility and the options that I had to still have children going forward. The info included freezing my embryos, freezing ovarian tissue....if you have a look on Cancer research's website or on Macmillans website you'll be able to see some of the options. 

    The waiting is often the worst part of all this because you just want answers. Your oncologist will be able to answer your questions on Monday so make sure you both write down any that you have over the weekend....my husband had loads! 

    If either you or your girlfriend have any other questions feel free to message me.

    I wish you both all the luck in the world. Take care. X

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    Hi Captain86

    I'm speaking from the point of view of someone who has been through cervical cancer and treatment. The option to have a hysterectomy (which would typically be a radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer) is not available in all circumstances. It will depend on the stage of the cancer and is normal only done at stage 1.

    Where a hysterectomy is not possible, the treatment is normally chemoradiation. When you have cancer and a tumour like your girlfriend has, there isn't an option to partially remove the cervix. Unfortunately, the treatments done will result in infertility as she would either lose her womb through surgery or be put into menopause by pelvic radiation, which will destroy the ovaries when treating this particular cancer.

    Given that your girlfriend is young, I would expect the oncologist to discuss any possibility of egg freezing prior to treatment. I'm so sorry you find yourself in this position, which must be very difficult, but the priority will need to be treating the cancer. 

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    Thank you both Haylzz and Minska for your heartfelt words and your careful explanations. I am sorry to hear about your cases too. 

    Haylzz, I hope you will go through your treatment as smoothly as possible. Minska, I hope this is over for you and you're happily and healthily progressing.

    It is indeed a great shock and it's hard to find words to express myself right now. I will try to stand by my girlfriend as best as I can and think about alternatives like adoption as well. But you're right that what primarily matters to me right now is her survival and wellbeing. Fertility just has to come second.

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