Cervical Cancer: Stages, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment
By: Dr.Suman Lal
Cervical cancer is a form of a life-threatening cancer which starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is referred to as the entrance to the uterus (or the womb). Most cervical cancer cases are caused due to infection from high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), virus is transmitted through sexual activity.
They cause changes in cervix and make precancerous cells. While all precancerous cells aren’t bound to turn into cancer, regular check up and screening while taking precautions is necessary for preventing cervical cancer.
Different Stages of Cervical Cancer-
Stage 0- Precancerous cells found inside the innermost lining of the cervix.
Stage 1- Cancer cells have grown from the surface of the cervix into the deeper tissue of the cervix and possibly into the uterus.
Stage 2- The cancer has spread beyond the cervix and the uterus but not to the pelvic walls.
Stage 3- During the third stage, the cancer is spread to the lower part of the vagina or the pelvic walls, possibly blocking the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters).
Stage 4- The cancer grows outside the pelvis and starts affecting distant organs including the liver, bones and lungs.
Symptoms-
Different stages of cervical cancer show different symptoms but the most common are-
1) Pain and bleeding between periods
2) Pain after sexual activity
3) Pelvic Pain
4) Vaginal discharge with hints of blood or strong odor
When the cancer cells have spread to the nearby tissues, symptoms can include-
1) Difficult or painful urination with blood sometimes
2) Fatigue and low energy level
3) Backache along with swollen legs
4) Loss of weight along with loss of appetite
Causes
Some risk factors that increase the chances of developing cervical cancer include human papillomaviruses (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted virus and also smoking which increases the risk of cervical cancer along with several other types of cancer.
Prevention
Cervical cancer is known to be highly preventable and curable if detected early. But it is also essential to get screened regularly while practicing safe sex and avoid smoking.
Cervical cancer prevention vaccine if taken in early age, can present upto 80% of development of cancer.
HPV virus detection on cervix testing and pap smear can detect the precancerous and early cancer problem.
Treatment
The treatment route of every cervical cancer case depends upon the severity, stage and age of the patient. Early detection increases the success rate for each cancer story.
Some of the commonly used forms of treatment are-
1) Radiation Therapy- This form of treatment uses radiation beams to kill the cancer cells in the cervix. There are two types of radiation therapy- External beam radiation (EBRT) and Brachytherapy.
2) Chemotherapy- This is the most common form of treatment used to cure cancer patients where several drugs are injected into the veins to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often given in cycles and the length and frequency depends upon the location of the cancer.
3) Surgery- Different kinds of surgical procedures are used to treat cervical cancer with the most common kinds of surgeries being Laser Surgery, Cryosurgery, and Cone Biopsy, along with Hysterectomy.
4) Targeted Therapy- Specific cancer cells are destroyed during targeted therapy without damaging healthy cells. The main function is to target proteins that take control in the growth of cancer cells.
5) Immunotherapy- Patients are given medicine to stimulate their immune system and support it in destroying cancer cells.
In the recent past, cervical cancer has become one of the most prevalent types of cancer with the number of the cases rising every year. While the cancer is highly preventable as well as curable, people oftentimes neglect and ignore the symptoms which in turns allows the cancer to grow into its later stages. Awareness and regular screening is of the utmost priority to decrease the cases of Cervical Cancer.
(The author is Director –Obstetrics & Gynecology, Max Hospital, Gurugram)
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