Cervical cancer is a disease in which cells in the cervix overgrow out of control. The cervix joins the uterus's top section to the vagina, which serves as the birth canal.
It’s the fourth most frequent malignancy in women worldwide which represents a significant threat to women's health.
Cervical cancer screening is crucial since women frequently don't show symptoms until the disease has progressed.
Symptoms:
A lot of vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell
Abnormal bleeding even on days other than menstruation
Bleeding after sex
Postmenopausal bleeding
Backache
If you experienced symptoms of cervical cancer,
visit your Gynaecologist who may direct you to an oncologist.
The main cause of developing cervical cancer is a sexually-transmitted viral infection called “Human papillomavirus” however, there’re other risk factors such as:
Human immunodeficiency virus infection
Oral contraceptives pills usage
Sexual intercourse at a young age (<16 years)
Age (Usually develops at 15-49 years old)
Smoking
Different tests and procedures may be used to diagnose and know the stage of cervical cancer such as:
Pap smear test: It detects precancerous and cancerous cell lesions early so that they can be efficiently treated. This s done by taking a sample of cells with a brush during the examination.
HPV test: A test to detect the presence of human papillomavirus which is a direct cause of cervical cancer.
Colposcopy: A process in which the cervix is inspected with a lighted magnifying device. It is possible to collect tissue samples for microscopic examination and diagnosis.
Scans: Different techniques and devices are used to take a picture of the cervix and other organs which helps in diagnosis and knowing if cancer has spread to other organs to define the stage of cancer (ex: Computed tomography “CT”, Magnetic resonance imaging “MRI”, and Positron emission tomography “PET”).
Staging
The staging of cervical cancer depends on the tumor size, involvement of lymph nodes, and spreading to other parts of the body. It has stages from zero to four. stage four is the most severe one and indicates that cancer has spread to different organs.
Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the size of the tumor, location, spreading, risk factors for the disease recurrence, and the patient's general health.
Treatment options are:
Surgery: The surgical procedure differs in invasiveness according to the stage of cancer, so it can range from removing the tumor with a small part of the cervix to removing the other reproductive organs.
Chemotherapy: A type of medicine that kills cancer cells and is usually taken as a combination of two or more medicines. It is used in combination with radiotherapy after surgery to prevent the disease from coming back, when the patient is not a candidate for surgery, or in advanced cases in which cancer has already spread to other organs (ex: Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin).
Radiotherapy: It is using radiation to kill cancer cells. This procedure can be used in combination with chemotherapy after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent the disease from coming back, in cases in which the patient is not a candidate for surgery, or in the advanced stage in which cancer has already spread, but only if it wasn’t used before.
Targeted therapy: These are medicines that target specific targets or molecules to stop cancer cell growth, They are usually used in combination with chemotherapy in advanced stages in which cancer has already spread (ex: Bevacizumab).
Get the answers you need, all in one place. Explore expert-written blogs, browse our extensive FAQs for quick answers to common concerns, or use our Symptom Checker for preliminary insights.
Need in-depth details? Our Disease Directory provides comprehensive information to help you understand conditions better.
Whatever you're looking for, we’re here to support your health journey, seamlessly and effortlessly.
Reviewed Blogs & Medical Guidelines
and Diseases Explained