By Antin. The cervix is the part of the uterus connected to the upper vagina. It is the structure that dilates during childbirth to allow the baby to traverse the birth canal.

Cause

The cause of cervical cancer is unknown. There is a strong association with certain subtypes of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for the squamous cell cancer. All sexually active women are at risk for the development of cervical cancer. The risk seems to be increased with smoking and promiscuity of the woman or her male partner.

Screening

Pap Test as a screening test for cervical cancer is very important. Regular Pap Test can found presence of cervical cancer before there are symptoms and abnormal findings on examination. This test also can detect premalignant stage that more easily and effectively treated than cancer itself.

Symptoms

Premalignant changes have no symptoms and are usually not noticeable on visual examination. There may be no symptoms of a very early cervical cancer, but by the time it is large enough to detect visually. The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding that often occurs after sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer causes a watery or foul discharge that will be noticeable and resistant to most treatments for the usual vaginal infections.

As the cervical cancer increases in size it usually grows laterally toward the pelvic wall. The tubes from the kidneys (ureters) are easily obstructed. If that happens to both of the ureters, then this will result in renal failure, coma and death. Cervical cancer growth can press on the nerves that go to the leg and cause unremitting leg pain.

Cervical cancers usually do not spread early. They tend to be slow growing and cause most of their problems in the pelvis. Metatasis of cervical cancer usually occurs in late events. Cervical cancers can spread by way of the lymphatic system.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cervical cancer is usually not difficult. It is usually big enough to be seen and can be biopsied. If it arises from up inside the cervical canal then it may not be visible. A woman who has symptoms or findings that could be due to a cancer will require that a portion of the cervix be removed for diagnosis, not a Pap Test.

Treatments

In general, cervical cancer are treated with radiation. Often when cancer of the cervix is being treated with radiation, chemotherapy is also given to increase the effects of the radiation. Otherwise, chemotherapy is not used as initial treatment Cervical cancer. Surgery in cervical cancer requires that the cancer be removed with as good a margin of uninvolved tissue as can safely be taken.


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