Cervical Cancer
See also:
Reproductive Cancer
What is it?
Cancers of the
cervix are more common in younger women.
Women with this cancer are more likely to recover if the cancer
is diagnosed and treated early.
Cervical Cancer is a disease in which the cells of the cervix
become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women.
Cervical cancer is usually preceded by dysplasia, precancerous
changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix. These abnormal
cells can progress to invasive cancer. Once the cancer appears, it
can progress through four stages. The stages are defined by the
extent of spread of the cancer. The more widely the cancer has
spread, the more extensive the treatment is likely to be.
Who gets it and what are its causes?
Cervical Cancer-In the United States, cervical cancer
accounts for 6% of all cancers in women. It usually affects women
between the ages of 50 and 55 years. Worldwide, cervical cancer is
the second most common cancer among women with over 400,000 new
cases diagnosed each year. The incidence is very high in developing
countries. In the last 40 years there has been a 75% decrease in the
number of deaths due to cervical cancer in the United. The main
reason is the use of the "pap test" as a screening tool.
The cause of cervical cancer is not known, however, certain factors
are believed to increase one’s risk of developing cervical cancer.
Engaging in sexual activity at a young age is one such factor. The
cells lining the cervix do not fully mature until the age of 18 and,
therefore, are more susceptible to cancer causing-agents and viruses.
More than 90% of women with cancer of the cervix are infected with
the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the single most important
factor for cervical cancer. HPV usually causes warts in the genital
area. The viruses are passed from one person to another during
unprotected sex. Having multiple sexual partners increases one’s
risk of getting this cancer, because the greater number of sexual
partners, the greater is the risk of acquiring HPV infection. Even if
a woman has only one sexual partner, but the man has several partners,
he is considered a "high-risk male" and can transmit HPV to
the women.
Smoking is considered a risk factor, possibly because smoking
causes some abnormal changes in the cells and these cells have a
higher likelihood of becoming cancerous. There are also some
statistical studies that have suggested that long-term use of oral
contraceptives may put a woman at a slightly higher risk of developing
this cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Cervical Cancer-Early cervical cancer causes no symptoms,
though bleeding or spotting between periods or after intercourse can
be a symptom of cervical cancer. Most women have no symptoms. The
cancer is usually detected at the time of the annual Pap smear and
pelvic exam. This is why women should start having Pap smears and
pelvic exams as soon as they become sexually active. Healthy young
women who have never been sexually active should have their first
annual pelvic exam by age 21.
Eventually, a woman who has cervical cancer will notice abnormal
vaginal bleed or bloodstained discharge at unexpected times, such as
between menstrual periods, after intercourse or after menopause.
Abnormal vaginal discharge may be cloudy or bloody or may contain
mucus. In advanced stages there may be pain.
Medical Treatment
Cervical Cancer-Most cases of cervical cancers can be
prevented, since they start with easily detectable pre-cancerous
changes. One of the best ways to prevent cervical cancers is by
having regular Pap tests. If pre-cancerous changes are detected,
appropriate treatment can prevent them from developing into invasive
cancers.
Another way to prevent cervical cancers it to avoid the risk
factors. Abstaining from sexual relations when one is very young, and
using appropriate precautions when engaging in sexual activity will
help to avoid HPV infections. Quitting smoking will also help to
reduce the risk for cervical cancers.
Surgical Treatment
Cervical Cancer-Treatment for cervical cancer depends on
the stage of the disease and the extent of its spread. Three
standard modes of treatment are surgery, radiation therapy and
chemotherapy.
A radical hysterectomy removes the entire uterus, the ovaries and
the upper of the vagina that is next to the cervix and the lymph nodes
from the pelvic region.
Radiation therapy, which involves the use of high energy x-rays to
kill cancer cells, can also be used for treatment of cervical cancer.
In external radiation therapy, the rays are focused on the pelvic area
from a source that is outside the body. Alternatively, a pellet of
radioactive materials may be placed internally, near the tumor. This
is called brachytherapy or interstitial radiotherapy. However,
radiation therapy to the pelvic region has many effects. It could
cause a narrowing of the vagina that makes intercourse painful. It may
also stop the ovaries from releasing eggs and producing the female
hormone estrogen. When this happens, it causes premature menopause in
young women and they will need estrogen replacement therapy. Many
women are treated with both surgery and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy, or the use of anticancer drugs to kill the cancer
cells, is not a common form of treatment for cervical cancer because
it is not as effective as other methods. Nevertheless, the
effectiveness of combination chemotherapy is being tested in clinical
trials.
When a woman is diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer, an
operation known as pelvic exenteration is performed. In this
operation, besides the uterus, cervix and vagina, the urinary bladder,
part of the colon and the rectum are also removed. In such cases, new
openings will have to be created for the urine and the feces to pass
out of the body. A new vagina may also be surgically created.
Physician's Who Treat Cervical Cancer
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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