Cervical cancer

Cervical Cancer. A common type of cancer in women , it is a disease in which cancerous (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the cervix, opening of the uterus and hollow pear -shaped organ where the fetus develops , and connects it with the vagina (birth canal).

Summary

[ disguise ]

• 1 Causes
• 2 Symptoms
• 3 Diagnosis
• 4 Classification of Cervical Cancer
• 5 Cervical Cancer Treatment
  • 1 Surgery
  • 2 Radiotherapy
  • 3 Chemotherapy
• 6 Prevention
• 7 External links
• 8 Sources

Causes

It is now known that an important risk factor is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. Some types of HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. If these changes are detected early, it is possible to prevent cancer by removing or destroying the altered cells before they become cancerous cells. There is an efficient vaccine on the market to protect against infection by this virus, which should ideally be administered before the start of sexual life in women.

It is very important that all women who have begun their sexual life periodically undergo the Pap smear test, which makes it possible to detect cellular alterations in their early stages.

It is also known that there are other factors that increase the risk: tobacco consumption , a weakened immune system, having multiple sexual partners, among others.

Symptoms

In its early stages, cervical cancer does not cause symptoms. When the tumor has grown, women may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse, vaginal douching, or pelvic exam
• Longer and heavier menstrual periods than before
• Bleeding after menopause
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse

These symptoms may be caused by infections or other health problems. Only a doctor can determine this for sure. If you have any of these symptoms, visit your gynecologist .

Diagnosis

The best diagnostic method available is the so-called Papanicolaou or Pap test, a test used to examine the cells of the cervix. This test is taken during the consultation with your gynecologist, who will take a sample of cells that will then be examined under a microscope in the pathology laboratory. If the results are abnormal, your doctor may suggest other tests, including colposcopy and biopsy.

Cervical Cancer Classification

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Once cervical cancer is detected (diagnosed), more tests will be done to determine if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This process is known as staging. The doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan the appropriate treatment. The following stages are used in the classification of cervical cancer:

• Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ: Carcinoma in situ is cancer in its early stage. The abnormal cells are found only in the first layer of cells lining the cervix and do not invade the deeper tissues of the cervix.
• Stage I: The cancer affects the cervix, but has not spread to the surrounding area.
  • Stage IA: A very small amount of cancer that is only visible through a microscope is found in the deeper tissue of the cervix.
  • Stage IB: A larger amount of cancer is found in the tissue of the cervix
• Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby regions, but is still in the pelvic region.
  • Stage IIA: Cancer has spread outside the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina
  • Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to the tissue around the cervix
• Stage III: The cancer has spread to the entire pelvic region. Cancer cells may have spread to the lower part of the vagina. The cells may also have spread to block the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (the ureters).
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
  • Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum (organs near the cervix)
  • Stage IVB: The cancer has spread to distal organs such as the lungs
• Recurrent: Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (reappeared) after it has been treated. It may return to the cervix or another place.

Cervical Cancer Treatment

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There are treatments for all patients with cervical cancer. Three types of treatment are used:

• Surgery: removal of the cancer in an operation.
• Radiation therapy: use of high-energy x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
• Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells.

Surgery

The doctor may use one of several types of surgery available for carcinoma in situ to destroy the cancerous tissue:

• Cryosurgery involves removing cancer by freezing.
• Laser surgery involves using a beam of intense light to eliminate cancer cells.

The doctor may remove the cancer using one of the following operations:

• Conization

Conization consists of removing a cone-shaped piece of tissue at the site where the abnormality is located. Conization can be used to remove a piece of tissue for biopsy, but it can also be used to treat early cervical cancer.

• Electrosurgical excision

Another option is for the doctor to perform an electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove the abnormal tissue. The LEEP uses an electric current passed through a thin wire ring that serves as a blade. A laser beam can also be used as a blade to remove tissue.

• Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is an operation in which the uterus and cervix are removed as well as the cancer. If the uterus is removed through the vagina, the operation is called a vaginal hysterectomy. If it is removed through a cut (incision) in the abdomen , the operation is called a total abdominal hysterectomy. Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed; This procedure is called bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Radical hysterectomy is an operation in which the cervix, uterus, and part of the vagina are removed. Lymph nodes in the region are also removed. This procedure is called lymph node dissection. (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body that produce and store infection-fighting cells.)

If the cancer has spread outside the cervix or
female organs, the doctor may remove the lower colon, rectum, or bladder (depending on where the cancer has spread) along with the cervix, uterus, and vagina. This procedure is called exenteration and is rarely needed. Sometimes plastic surgery is necessary to form an artificial vagina after this operation.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or it may come from materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes that are applied to the area where the cancer cells are located (internal radiation). Radiotherapy can be used alone or in addition to surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be taken in pill form or can be deposited into the body through a needle inserted into the vein. Chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment because the drug is introduced into the bloodstream, travels through the body and can kill cancer cells outside the cervix.

Prevention

Prevention methods against cervical cancer:
• Vaccine against human papillomavirus.
• Performing the Pap smear on a regular basis.
• Avoid relationships with multiple sexual partners.
• No Smoking.
• Do not drink.
• If there is a history of genital warts, have a Pap smear every 6 months.
• If you have more than one sexual partner, insist that they use condoms to prevent the spread of a sexually transmitted disease.
The cervical cancer vaccine was recently approved and is used routinely in some countries. The vaccine is recommended for women over 11 years of age. However, the vaccine prevents this type of cancer but does not cure it: no vaccine cures, but all prevent a specific disease.