ABOUT THE DISEASE

The cervix is the opening and bottom part of the womb, or uterus. It is located high inside the vagina. Cervical cancer is a tumor or growth in the tissue of a woman`s cervix.

There are two kinds of cancers of the cervix:
- Squamous cell carcinoma, starts in the flat or scale-like cells that line the cervix. This type of cancer is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
- Adenocarcinoma, starts in glandular cells that line the cervix.

Cervical cancers usually start as dysplasia, a pre cancerous condition, which can be detected through simple test like Pap smear and is completely curable.

SYMPTOMS

• • Abnormal vaginal bleeding or menstrual bleeding i.e periods that is longer or heavier than usual.
• • Bleeding after intercourse.
• • Vaginal bleeding following menopause.
• • Abnormal vaginal discharge.
• • Pelvic discomfort or pain.
• • Having an abnormal Pap test. (A test where cells are scraped from the cervix and canal of the cervix, and are viewed under a microscope.)

• • Loss of appetite or weight loss.
• • Bone pain or fractures.
• • Tiredness.
• • Back and leg pain.
• • Inability to control urination or bowel movements.

CAUSES

Most cases of this cancer are caused by some types of HPV, the human papilloma virus. This virus, or germ, may be passed along during sex.

Following are some of the "risk factors" for cervical cancer:
- Having sex (intercourse) as a teenager
- Having AIDS or a problem with immune system
- Having multiple sex partners
- Having unprotected sex
- Smoking cigarettes
- Having a family history of cancer of the cervix - Mother or sister
- Having a sexually transmitted virus infection. These infections are strongly linked with cancer of the cervix. They include: Chlamydia, Herpes, Human papilloma virus (HPV)

DIAGNOSIS

- Pap smears screen for pre cancers and cancer

Other tests may include:
- Colposcopy – a special microscope to magnify and examine cells of cervix, vagina and vulva
- Cervical biopsy/cone biopsy
- Cystoscopy
- Proctoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy
- Ultrasound
- CT Scan

TREATMENT METHODS

Treatment plan depends upon grade and stage of cancer, patient`s age, health and desire to have children in future.

Early cervical cancer can be cured by removing the cancerous tissue without removing the uterus or damaging the cervix, so that a woman can still get pregnant.

Types of surgery for early cervical cancer include:
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) - uses electricity to remove abnormal tissue
• Cryotherapy - freezes abnormal cells
• Laser therapy - uses light to burn abnormal tissue

Treatment for more advanced cervical cancer may include:
• Hysterectomy - Removal of the uterus
• Radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and much of the surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes and the upper part of the vagina.
• Pelvic exenteration, an extreme type of surgery in which all of the organs of the pelvis, including the bladder and rectum, are removed.

This could be coupled with Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.

You may also like to learn about:

Cancer Endometrium
Cervicitis
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Bartholin cyst
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroid