Cervical cancer

Alternative Names

Cervical cancer

What is Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a disease characterizing by cancer cells formation in the tissues of the cervix. Cervical cancer usually starts when healthy cells acquire a genetic mutation that turns normal cells into abnormal cells. Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time. Cancer cells grow and multiply out of control and they do not die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break off from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasize).

In the last 50 years, there has been a reduced rates of new cases and deaths due to cervical cancer.

Types of cervical cancer include:

• Squamous cell carcinomas is the most common type of cervical cancer that starts in the thin, flat cells that line the bottom of the cervix (squamous cells).
• Adenocarcinomas develops in the glandular cells that line the cervical canal. These cancers make up a smaller portion of cervical cancers.

In some cases, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Very rare cancers can occur in other cells in the cervix.

Signs and symptoms

Cervical cancer generally does not cause any signs or symptoms at early stage. As the cancer progresses, the following signs and symptoms of more advanced cervical cancer may appear:

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Possible complications

The most serious complication of cervical cancer for women is infertility. If you are concerned about your ability to get pregnant in the future, you should discuss this with your doctor before your treatment begins. In many cases, preserving fertility is more successful than trying to restore fertility after treatment.

What causes

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, but scientists suppose that the sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in the development of cervical cancer.

Prevention

There are 2 tests that beneficial in the prevention of cervical cancer:

• The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The Pap test is recommended for all women.
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. Talk with your doctor, nurse or other doctors about whether the HPV test is right for you.

You should have regular screening tests in order to prevent the disease. People of 30 or older with normal screening tests have reduced chances of developing cervical cancer in the next few years. For that reason, your doctor may tell you that you will not need another screening test for up to 3 years. But you should still go to the doctor regularly for a check-up that may include a pelvic exam.

It also is obligatory to continue getting a Pap test regularly, even if you think you are too old to have a child or are not having sex anymore.

Treatment

Lymphadenectomy is a surgical removal of the lymph nodes.

Radical Trachelectomy is a removal of the cervix and its surrounding tissue while leaving the body of the uterus intact. A radical trachelectomy with lymphadenectomy is an option for young women with early stage disease who wish to maintain fertility.

Radical Hysterectomy is a surgical removal of the uterus, cervix and part of the vagina. In some cases, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and lymph nodes are removed. In some cases, radical hysterectomy is used in the combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy is a surgical removal of both ovaries and the fallopian tubes.

Chemotherapy is a therapy used to treat cervical cancer and also to help radiation therapy be more effective. Chemotherapy drugs work by killing cancer cells or preventing them from multiplying. Several chemotherapy drugs are available to treat cervical cancer and will be prescribed according to the stage of cancer, type of cervical cancer and other health factors.

Radiation Therapy uses high energy beams to reduce the size of a tumor or to kill cancer cells. This type of treatment can be done internally with radioactive materials that are implanted in the uterus or externally with the use of a radiation therapy machines.

Often prescribed with chemotherapy, radiation therapy is an effective method of treating cervical cancer. It can however, be prescribed alone or before or after chemotherapy. Radiation treatment plans depend on stage of cervical cancer, other treatment methods used and the general health of the patient.