New Paradigms in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Despite effective screening strategies and the development and implementation of prophylactic high-risk human papillomavirus vaccination, cervical cancer remains a significant public health burden. This burden is most pronounced in under-resourced countries without fully developed screening and vaccination programs, although the disease remains present worldwide, including in industrialized countries. To that end, the World Health Organization (WHO) has an active focus on the elimination of cervical cancer, with objective metrics to be achieved by countries by the year 2030. Although increased vaccination and screening will be needed to approach potential eradication of cervical cancer, as recognized by the WHO initiative, treatment will need to continue to not only be effective in the near term, but to improve outcomes as well. Accordingly, assessments to improve primary treatment options, including surgery for women with early-stage disease, modification of chemoradiation for those with locally advanced cervical cancer, and systemic therapy for those with recurrent or metastatic presentations, are ongoing. Accordingly, we highlight important areas of both recent and ongoing focus as they relate to improving cervical cancer outcomes.