| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Cervical
Cancer |
|
Medical Term:
|
None
Specified |
| Description: |
A common, but treatable,
cancer of the cervix (the lower third of the uterus, which opens
into the vagina). It
can affect women of all ages, but most common between ages 40 and
55.
About 85% of cervical cancers
are squamous cell carcinomas i.e. they arise from the scaly,
skin-like cells covering the outside of the cervix. Most other cervical
cancers develop from gland cells (adenocarcinomas) or a
combination of cell types (adenosquamous carcinomas).
Invasive cancer of the cervix
commonly involves the vagina, and the pelvic sidewalls |
| Causes: |
Unknown. Possibly related to viral
infections, including human papilloma virus. |
| Prevention: |
Avoid
the risks listed above as far as possible. Start pelvic examinations
at age 18 or at the beginning of regular sexual activity. Have regular Pap smears
(test done to detect cancer of the cervix in an early treatable
stage).
Regular
Pap smear is very effective in detecting precancerous changes or
cervical cancer in its symptom-free stage. Pap test can accurately
and inexpensively detect about 90% of cervical cancers, even
before symptoms appear.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
In the early, easily
treatable stages:
|
 |
No symptoms |
|
|
In later stages:
|
|
Unexplained vaginal bleeding. |
|
Persistent vaginal discharge. |
|
Pain and bleeding after intercourse |
|
|
Late stages:
|
|
Abdominal pain. |
|
Leaking of feces and urine through the vagina. |
|
Appetite and weight loss. |
|
Anemia. |
|
| Risk Factors |
|
Low economic status. |
|
Early age of first intercourse. |
|
Multiple sex partners. |
|
Multiple pregnancies. |
|
Human papilloma virus infection (genital warts). |
|
Chronic recurrent vaginal infections (bacterial or
viral, including genital herpes and genital warts). |
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
| General
Measures: |
|
Diagnostic test may include a pelvic examination
and a Pap test, followed by a biopsy if a suspicious lesion
is seen. |
|
CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis - detection of
metastasis. |
|
Chest x-ray |
|
Lymphangiogram-for assessment of lymph node
involvement. |
|
|
|
Surgery to remove the cancerous area of the cervix
(cone biopsy), which preserves childbearing abilities. More
advanced stages may require a hysterectomy. |
|
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy (internal,
external, or both) are possible treatments for advanced
cancer. |
|
To receive additional information calls the
American Cancer Society 1(800) ACS-2345. Another source is
the Cancer Information Clearinghouse at 1(800) 4-CANCER. |
|
| Medications: |
|
Medicine usually is not
necessary for this disorder, if it is diagnosed and treated
early. If radical surgery and additional treatment are
required, anticancer drugs may be prescribed. |
|
| Activity: |
|
No restrictions. Resume
sexual activity once you have medical clearance. |
|
| Diet: |
|
No special diet. |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
If cervical cancer is
not treated early, it spreads beyond the uterus, lymph nodes
and other organs. |
|
| Prognosis |
|
Curable if diagnosed before the tumor has
spread.
|
|
| Other |
|
|