Things you need to know about Cervical Cancer
Cancer that beings at the cervix is called cervical cancer. An abnormal growth of cells in the cervix is known as cervical cancer. Cervix is a part of the reproductive system, which is a narrow opening from the vagina to the uterus. There are two types of cervical cancer;
In less common cases, both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma may be found. This is called as adenosquamous or mixed carcinoma of the cervix.
What is Cervical Cancer
Early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer may not be evident. However, in advanced stages, some of the following signs and symptoms can be present:
The exact cause of cervical cancer is not very clear. However, it is believed that the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) plays a pivotal role in the development of cervical cancer. Some other factors that can increase the chances of developing cervical cancer include:
The complications of cervical cancer range from minor ones such as minor vaginal bleeding and frequent urination to severe complications such as kidney failure and major vaginal bleeding. Few other complications due to the treatment of cervical cancer include:
Staging of cancer is done to assess the size and extent of spread. It also helps the oncologist to decide the treatment plan.
Cancer staging is done in two ways: TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) staging and Number staging from 1 to 4. Staging for cancer of female reproductive organs are also done using FIGO (International federation of gynaecology and obstetrics) staging system. For cervical cancer, the FIGO stages are the same as the AJCC stages (American Joint Committee on Cancer).
Stages of cervical cancer:
Stage 1: Stage 1 cervical cancer is characterized by cancerous growth from the surface of the cervix into the deeper tissues of the cervix and into the body of the uterus. The cancer is localized and has not spread to the lymph nodes yet.
Stage 2: Stage 2 cervical cancer has grown beyond the cervix and uterus, but confined to the walls of the pelvis or the lower part of the vagina. The cancer is usually localized and may or may not have spread to lymph nodes.
Stage 3: In stage 3A, cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or wall of the pelvis. As cancer progresses, one or both the ureters may be blocked causing kidney problems. Cancer may or may not have spread to lymph nodes.
Stage 4: In stage 4A, cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum or outside the pelvis. As cancer progresses to stage 4B, it spreads to lymph nodes, bones, distant parts of the body such as lungs and liver.
In case of any visible sign or symptom, you should seek consultation with your gynecologist. It is best to avail treatment from a hospital with a multidisciplinary team such as a gynecologist, oncologist, radiologist and radiation therapist and a trained medical support staff. The hospital should also have support services for cancer diagnosis and infrastructure support like radiation therapy, chemotherapy etc.
Your gynecologist or oncologist will be able to diagnose cervical cancer by:
The treatment options for cervical cancer are based on the type and stage of cervical cancer and other factors like overall health, age, and sensitivity to certain medications. Some of the treatment options that may be used in combination include:
How is cervical cancer treated?
Based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and depending on the stage cancer, the 5-year survival rates range between 93% with Stage 0 to 15% with stage IV B cervical cancers.
The risk of having cervical cancer can be reduced by:
The cost of cervical cancer is governed by several factors, such as
To know more about cervical cancer and its treatment, you can request for a callback and our cervical cancer specialists will call you and answer all your queries.
“The content of this publication has been developed by a third party content providerwho are clinicians and/or medical writers and/or experts. The information contained herein is for educational purpose only and we request you to please consult a Registered Medical Practitioner or Doctor before deciding the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.”