One of the deadliest cancers for women, according to WHO, cervical cancer is responsible for over 270,000 deaths a year, with 85% of those deaths occurring in developing countries, where cervical cancer is the second most common cancer for women. About one million women are currently living with cervical cancer although it is easily preventable. Cervical cancer develops on the surface of the cervix, but can grow deeper into the cervix, uterus, vagina, and other parts of the body.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. HPV infection is the most important risk factor. Other risk factors include
Unfortunately, no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer are usually evident until the cancer has become invasive and grown into nearby tissue. At that time, symptoms may include:
A visit to a doctor is advised if any of these symptoms occur.
Since there are no early signs or symptoms of cervical cancer, the best first warning comes through routine pap exams. The series of tests that may be done include
The diagnostic tests not only help in making the diagnosis but also in determining the stage of cancer (how far the cancer has spread). Cervical cancer staging is done using either FIGO staging system or TNM staging system.
Stage 0: Cancer is only found on the surface of the cervix.
Stage I: Tumor size is smaller than 2 inches or 5 cms. Cancer has grown into the deeper tissue of the cervix and perhaps into the body of the uterus, but not outside the uterus.
Stage II: Tumor size is more than 2 inchers or has grown beyond the cervix and uterus but not to the walls of the pelvis or lower part of the vagina.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or walls of the pelvis, and may be blocking the ureters.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum, or it is growing outside of the pelvis. Cancer may have spread to distant organs beyond the pelvic area (lymph nodes, lungs, bones, or liver).
Specific treatment is based on which stage the cancer is in.
Stage 0: Cryosurgery, laser surgery, LEEP procedure, cold knife conization or cone biopsy, simply hysterectomy.
Stage I: Options depend on whether you wish to maintain fertility.
If you do, then treatment will be a cone biopsy.
If you do not wish to maintain fertility, options include either a simply hysterectomy or a radical hysterectomy with the removal of pelvic lymph nodes.
Stage II: Standard treatment at this stage is usually chemoradiation.
Stage III: Chemoradiation.
Stage IV: Radiation therapy and chemo
The targeted or chemotherapy drugs for cervical cancer include Cisplatin or Carboplatin, Taxol, Gemzar or Topotecan and Avastin
The two screening tests available include PAP smear and HPV testing. The screening with these tests should be done according to American Cancer Society guidelines. HPV testing alone is not the recommended screening test.
Pap smear every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended unless PAP smear is abnormal
Pap smear every 3 years OR
Pap smear and HPV testing every 5 years.
Screening depends on the results of previous PAP smear screening results
This post was last modified on July 14, 2023 4:02 pm
Spider veins are a common cosmetic concern for many people, causing small, visible veins to appear just beneath the surface… Read More
Digital Signage for Hospitals: Streamlining Communication in Hospitals SEO description: The use of digital signage for hospitals transforms the way… Read More
Oxygen is the most critical element for human survival, and in scenarios where oxygen levels are compromised, having access to… Read More
In the world of competitive sports and bodybuilding, serious athletes are always on the lookout for reliable, high-quality supplements to… Read More
Car accidents can change lives, causing long-term injuries that affect physical health, finances, and emotional well-being. Recognizing these effects is… Read More
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious condition that can result from various forms of negligence, such as car accidents,… Read More
It sucks to be on a tight budget. You have to pick and choose what you buy at the grocery… Read More
We’ve all laid in bed tossing and turning, not being able to sleep. But what if this is happening to… Read More
Addiction can profoundly impact every aspect of an individual’s life, from their physical health to their relationships, career, and spiritual… Read More
The mental health landscape for teenagers is increasingly concerning. Adolescence is a period fraught with changes—physically, emotionally, and socially—that can… Read More