radical trachelectomy
(RA-dih-kul TRAY-kee-LEK-toh-mee)
Surgery to remove the cervix, nearby tissue, and the upper part of the vagina. Lymph nodes in the pelvis may also be removed. After the cervix is removed, the uterus is attached to the remaining part of the vagina. A special stitch or band is placed on the uterus to help keep the uterus closed during a pregnancy. Because the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are not removed, a radical trachelectomy may be done to treat a person with early-stage cervical cancer who wants to become pregnant in the future. Also called radical cervicectomy.