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CERVICAL CANCER

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CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer arising from the cervix.

  • The cervix is the lower end of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
  • The cervix has two different part and each part contain two different types of cells.
  • The outer surface of the cervix (exocervix) is covered with squamous cell and the interior channel of the cervix (endocervix) is covered in the glandular cell.
  • These two type of cell meets at a point known as the transformation zone.
  • The type of cervical cancer that begins in the squamous cell is called squamous cell carcinomas. Up to 90% of cervical cancer arise from the squamous cell.
  • Most of the other types are adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cervical cancer that develops in the glandular cell. These cancers make up to 10% of cervical cancers.
  • In rare cases, the cervical cell may have features of both types of cancer. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas
  • Cervical cancer is due to the abnormal growth of a cell that has the potential to invade, multiply or spread to other part of the body.
  • An estimated 528,000 cases of this condition was recorded in 2012 leading to 266,000 deaths.
  • Cervical cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death in low-income countries without access to cervical screening. The widespread use of cervical screening program has drastically reduced rates of cervical cancer in developed countries.
  • If detected early, there is a high percentage of cure rate, although it can be life-threatening if it goes undetected or untreated.

CAUSES

Cervical cancer begins with abnormal changes in the cervical tissue. This is majorly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is sexually transmitted and can be gotten from the anal, oral, or vaginal sex. More than 200 types of HPV exist but not all of them causes cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the cause of 75% of the conditional globally, while types 31 and 45 are the cause of another 10%.

The virus causes the cervical cell to become abnormal and over the course of the year, these cells can become cancerous.

Risk factor for cervical cancer includes:

  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Smoking
  • A weakened immune system
  • Long-term use of oral contraceptives
  • Multiple pregnancies

SYMPTOMS

At the early stage, the condition produces no symptoms but as the condition advances, symptoms may include:

  • Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
  • Pain during intercourse or during urination
  • Pelvic pain
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Heavy watery, bloody vaginal discharge that smells

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

According to national guidelines, all women should have a cervical screen which should begin at the age of 21 and should be done at least every three years till the age of 30.

Screening test includes:

Pap test where the doctor scrapes and brushes cells from the cervix which are then examined in the laboratory for abnormalities. This test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix as well as cells that show changes that increase the risk of cervical cancer

HPV test uses the same procedure but the cells collected from the cervix are tested for infection with any of the types of the HPV that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer.

DIAGNOSIS 

A thorough cervix examination is carried out if cervical cancer is suspected.

A colposcopic examination where a special magnifying equipment known as colposcope is used to check for  abnormal cells. During this examination, the doctor is likely to take a sample of cervical cell (biopsy) for test in the laboratory.

If cervical cancer is detected, further testing may be required to test the extent or stage of your cancer. The staging is a key factor in determining your treatment options.

The testing may be carried out using imaging tests to check how far cancer has spread or a visual examination of the rectum and bladder using special scopes.

In stage 1, cancer is confined to the cervix

Stage 2, cancer is present in the cervix and the upper portion of the vagina

Stage 3, cancer has moved internally to the pelvic side

Stage 4, cancer has spread to nearby organs such as the bladder and the rectum or other areas of the body such as the lungs, bones or liver.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and other underlying medical condition that you may have.

Treatment option may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the three.

Surgery may include removing the uterus along with cancer. This procedure is known as a hysterectomy. The doctor may recommend a simple hysterectomy where the cervix, uterus are removed with the cancer of radical hysterectomy where the cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and lymph nodes are removed along with cancer.

Radiation uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. This may be used alone or with chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medication injected intravenously to kill the cancer cell.

Supportive care that aid to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families is helpful. If combined with all of the other treatments, people with cancer may live longer and feel better.