Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer worldwide. It is the abnormal enlargement of the cells of the cervix. It is also known as cervical carcinoma. It can spread to the other parts of the body. Human papiloma virus (HPV) infection is the causative factor in 90% of cases.
- Squamous cell cancer: It appear in the outer surface of the cervix. It appears in 70-80% cases.
- Adenocarcinoma: It appears in the gland cells. Although it was less common than squamous cell cancer now it has become more common. It appears in 10-15% cases.
- Human papiloma virus
- Infections like Human immunodeficiency virus (HPV), other sexually transmitted infections
- Reproductive and hormonal factors such as oral contraceptives, pregnancy under 17years of age
- Tobacco chewing, Smoking
- Occupational exposure to tetrachloroethylene
- Previous cancer
- Weak immune system
- Pain during sexual intercourse (vagina)
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Bleeding after menopause
- Longer or heavier menstrual period than usual
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Decreased in food intake
- loss of weight
- Back ache
- Pelvic pain
- Weakness
- Edema on legs
- Bone fractures
- leakage of urine
It can be diagnosed by doing the following test:
Biopsy of the cervix: Biopsy can be done through colposcopy in which a magnified visual inspection of cervix is done by using a dilute acetic acid solution to highlight the cancer cells on the surface of the cervix.
Pap smear: It is the screening test. It is a confirmation test done to diagnose the cancer of cervix. Another procedure called loop Electrical Excision Procedure (lEEP) and conization is done in which the cervix inner lining is removed to examined the cervix pathologically.
Carcinoma in Situ ( Stage 0): In carcinoma in situ ( stage 0) , the innnermost lining of cervix is occupied with abnormal cells. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby healthy tissues.
Stage I: In stage I , cancer is found in the cervix only. Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB , based on the portion of cancer that is present in the tissue.
Stage IA : A small portion of cancer that can only be seen with a microscope is found in the tissues of the cervix . Stage IA is further subdivided into stages IA 1 and IA 2, based on the size of the tumor .In stage IA 1, cancer is not more than 3 millimeters deep and not more than 7 millimeters wide.In stage IA 2, cancer is more than 3 but not more than 5 millimeters deep , and not more than 7 millimeters wide .
Stage IB is divided into stages IB 1 and IB 2: In stage IB 1, cancer can only be seen with a microscope and is more than 5 millimeters deep and more than 7 millimeters wide ; or the cancer can be seen without a microscope and is 4 centimeters or smaller .
In stage IB 2, cancer can be seen without a microscope and is more than 4 centimeters.
Stage II: In stage II , cancer has spread beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic wall ( the tissues that line the part of the body between the hips ) or to the lower third of the vagina. Stage II is divided into stages IIA and IIB, based on how far the cancer has spread .
Stage IIA : Cancer has spread beyond the cervix to the upper two thirds of the vagina but not to tissues around the uterus. Stage IIA is further subdivided into stages IIA1 and IIA2, based on the size of the tumor .
In stage IIA1 , the tumor can be seen without a microscope and is 4 centimeters or smaller .
In stage IIA2 , the tumor can be seen without a microscope and is larger than 4 centimeters.
Stage IIB : Cancer has spread beyond the cervix to the tissues around the uterus.
Stage III: In stage III , cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina, and/or to the pelvic wall , and /or has caused kidney problems .
Stage III is divided into stages IIIA and IIIB , based on how far the cancer has spread .
Stage IIIA : Cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina but not to the pelvic wall .
Stage IIIB : Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall ; and /or the tumor has become large enough to block the ureters ( the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) . This blockage can cause the kidneys to enlarge or stop its function.
Stage IV: In stage IV , cancer has spread to the bladder , rectum, or other parts of the body.
Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB , based on where the cancer is found .
Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to nearby organs , such as the bladder or rectum .
Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body , such as the liver , lungs, bones , or distant lymph nodes .
Treatment of cervix cancer:
There are various types of treatment done for patients with cervical cancer . Some treatments are standard ( the currently used treatment ) , and some are being tested in clinical trials . A treatment done in clinical trial is a research study which helps to improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. The new treatment may become the standard treatment when clinical trials show that new treatment is better than standard treatment.
Three types of standard treatment used are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Surgery: Surgery ( removing the cancer in an operation ) is done to treat cervical cancer. Some of the surgical procedures done for cervical cancer treatment are listed below :
Conization : It is also known as cone biopsy. In this procedure a cone -shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix and cervical canal. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to observe cancer cells . It may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition .
Total hysterectomy: Surgery done to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix . If the uterus and cervix are taken out through the vagina, the operation is called a vaginal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a large incision ( cut ) in the abdomen , the operation is called a total abdominal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a small incision in the abdomen using a laparoscope , the operation is called a total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Radical hysterectomy: Surgery done to remove the uterus, cervix , part of the vagina, and a wide area of ligaments and tissues around these organs . The ovaries, fallopian tubes, or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed .
Modified radical hysterectomy: Surgery done to remove the uterus, cervix , upper part of the vagina, and ligaments and tissues that closely surround these organs . Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed . In this type of surgery , not as many tissues and/or organs are removed as in a radical hysterectomy.
Bilateral salpingo -oophorectomy : Surgery done to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
Pelvic exenteration : Surgery done to remove the lower colon , rectum, and bladder . In women the cervix , vagina, ovaries, and nearby lymph nodes are also removed . Artificial openings ( stoma) are made for flow of urine and stool from the body to a collection bag. Plastic surgery may be needed to make an artificial vagina after this operation .
Cryosurgery : A treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue , such as carcinoma in situ . This type of treatment is also called cryotherapy.
Laser surgery : A surgical procedure that uses a laser beam ( a narrow beam of intense light ) as a knife to make bloodless cuts in tissue or to remove a surface lesion such as a tumor .
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure ( LEEP ) : A treatment that uses electrical current passed through a thin wire loop as a knife to remove abnormal tissue or cancer .
Radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high -energy x - rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing . There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles , seeds, wires , or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated .
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by destroying the cells or by stopping them from spreading . When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle , the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body ( systemic chemotherapy ) . When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen , the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas ( regional chemotherapy ) . The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated .
0 comments:
Post a Comment