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Cervical cancer is responsible for approximately 5 percent of all cancer deaths in women each year. It occurs at any age and at any stage of development following puberty. As a woman increases in age, her risk of death from cervical cancer increases as well.
Cervical cancer is the presence of malignant cancer cells in the cervix of the uterus. As no one cause has been identified, medical research has determined various risk factors in the presence and development cervical cancer. These risk factors include losing virginity at an early age, multiple sexual partners, promiscuous male sexual partners, poor obstetric and gynecologic care, and the presence or history of various sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes virus. Reducing the risk factors will strongly reduce the changes of the development of cervical cancer.
As there are no evident signs and symptoms in the early stages or development of cervical cancer. This fact intensifies the need for early screening and detection by annual pap smears and pelvic exams. Early detection is the only way to ensure proper treatment and a higher rate of remission and survival.
The first step in the diagnosis of cervical cancer is done via pap smears – where a small tissue sample is taken from the cervix and placed on a slide where it will be viewed under a microscope to determine the presence of abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are present, the physician will schedule a laparoscopy of the cervix and uterus to both view the area for abnormal tissue as well as gather a second tissue sample for biopsy.
The regions, organs and parts of the cervix and uterus that is affected by cervical cancer determine the treatment options and survival rate in woman who have been diagnosed. The stages of cervical cancer are:
Dysplasia – this stage is the beginning of the development of cervical cancer. The surface level cells of the cervix are abnormal in size and shape and they begin to multiply while the underlying tissue is healthy and normal. Dysplasia can develop into cervical cancer if the cells are not found but the presence of dysplasia does not indicate the serious condition of cervical cancer is inevitable. Treatment of dysplasia is localized removal of the cells with follow up gynecological visits to inhibit the reformation of abnormal cells.
Carcinoma in situ - if moderate to sever dysplasia goes untreated, the cells will eventually develop into the early stage of cancer called carcinoma in situ – also known as stage 0. in this stage, the abnormal cells continue to expand and reproduce but now have begun to invade the entire thickness of the tissue but do not expand beyond the tissue of the cervix. The presence of these abnormal cells is confirmed by biopsy and treatment includes laser surgery removal, conization – the excision or removal of a cone-shaped area of tissue, Loop electosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) – the excision or removal of tissue by the use of an electrical current passed through a thin wire loop that acts as a knife, freezing of the cells or total hysterectomy for women who cannot or no longer want to have children.
Stage I – in stage one cervical cancer, the cervix is affected by the abnormal cells – now identified as cancerous - but the cancer had not yet spread to surrounding tissue. This stage is broken down into stage IA and IB indicating whether a smaller amount (stage IA) or a larger amount (stage IB) is involved. Biopsy is used for diagnosis and treatment includes conization, hysterectomy, internal radiation therapy, removal of lymph nodes of the pelvic area and chemotherapy. In some cases, a combination of these treatments will be needed to obtain successful results.
Stage IIA – indicates the cancer has spread beyond the cervix and now affects the upper two thirds of the vagina as well. Signs and symptoms of pain, discharge, odor and discomfort may become apparent at this stage. Treatment includes internal and external radiation therapy, radical hysterectomy and removal of lymph nodes of the pelvis and chemotherapy.
Stage IIB – the stage IIB cancer diagnosis indicates the cancer has spread to tissue surrounding the cervix, but not necessarily the vagina. Just as with stage IIA, various signs and symptoms may become apparent. Treatment for stage IIB includes internal and external therapy in combination with chemotherapy.
Stage III – in stage III cervical cancer, the cancer cells have begun to spread throughout the pelvic area including the entire vagina. At this stage, signs and symptoms of pain and kidney dysfunction may become apparent. Treatment of stage III cervical cancer is internal and external radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy to prevent further spreading of abnormal cells.
Stage IVA – stage IVA cervical cancer indicates the cancer has begun to spread outside the reproductive system to organs such as the bladder, kidneys and rectum. Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe pain are evident and dysfunction of the urinary tract may be present. Treatment includes aggressive radiation therapy – both internal and external – combined with a moderate to high doses of chemotherapy.
Stage IVB – in stage IVB cervical cancer, the cancer cells have spread to organs outside the pelvic cavity such as the liver, lungs, stomach or diaphragm. Severe pain and organ dysfunction is evident and treatment includes radiation and chemotherapy used only to relieve the symptoms caused by the cancer.
Recurrent stage – the recurrent stage of cervical cancer indicates that even after treatment, the cancer returns and continues to spread. Severe pain continues and organ and system dysfunction is inevitable. Treatment for the recurrent stage of cervical cancer is only offered in an effort to prolong life and offer relief from symptoms of the cancer.
Avoiding risk factors, having annual pap testing and pelvic exams in addition to reporting any abnormalities that are present – such as pelvic pain and vaginal discharge – can be the most important steps a woman can take in preventing the development of cervical cancer.
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