Cervical Cancer abnormal cells on the cervix   grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part

of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when it's found early.

found at a very early stage through a Pap test. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers virus called human papillomavirus

CAUSES Cervical cancer is caused by severe abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Most

precancerous or cancerous cell changes occur in the cervix at the transformation zone, because

these cells normally undergo constant change. During this natural process of change, some

cervical cells can become abnormal if you are infected with high-risk types of HPV.

RISK FACTORS Pregnancy:  3/mo full-term, before age 17

Family history: Women with a sister or mother who had cervical cancer are two to three times more likely to develop cervical cancer.

Sexual promiscuity Smoking Oral contraceptive use: >5 yrs use

Weakened immune system:  with healthy immune systems, virus clears ( 12-18 mo) Ex: HIV Diethylstilbestrol (DES):  prevent miscarriages HPV: The majority of clear the virus or have treatment so the abnormal cells are removed.

skin infection, spread through skin-to-skin contact 

SYMPTOMS Abno vag bleeding (btw menstrual periods, after sex / menopause) Abno vag d/c Pelvis Pain Dyspareunia Sig unexplained menstrual cycle chg

Sx of advanced cervical cancer:

Anemia - abno vaginal bleeding. Ongoing pelvic, leg, or back pain. Urinary problems - blockage of a kidney or ureter. Leakage of urine or stool into the vagina. - fistula between vagina, bladder, or rectum. Weight loss

TREATMENT  

Surgery  Cone biopsy (conization) or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). This

removes a wedge of cervical tissue that contains the cancer.

Radical trachelectomy . removes the cervix, part of the vagina, and the pelvic lymph

nodes (lymph node dissection). But the uterus is left in place.

Hysterectomy  . uterus and cervix 

Radical hysterectomy. uterus,cervix, part of the vagina, and tissues around these organs..

Modified radical hysterectomy. “ ” But less tissue and fewer organs removed

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy  both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.

Pelvic exenteration  most serious pelvic surgery. It is done when cancer has spread

throughout the lower belly and pelvis

uterus, cervix, vagina, ovaries, lower colon, rectum, and bladder are removed.

Artificial openings are made so urine and stool can pass from the body into a

collection bag. An artificial vagina can also be created during this surgery.

SE of surgery

conization or LEEP include mild cramping during the first few hours, soreness for several days, and vaginal discharge for about a week. These surgeries may be done in your doctor's office.

Pap test Radiation therapy, which uses high-dose X-rays or implants in the vaginal cavity to kill

cancer cells. It is used for certain stages of cervical cancer. It is often used in combination with surgery. To learn more, see Other Treatment.

Chemoradiation, which is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. This is often used to treat both early-stage and late-stage cervical cancer.

Chemotherapy, which uses medicines to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used to treat advanced cervical cancer.

Medicine choices

Common chemotherapy medicines:

Bevacizumab .

Carboplatin .

Cisplatin . Cisplatin is the medicine most often used in chemoradiation for

cervical cancer.

Docetaxel .

Fluorouracil (5-FU) .

Gemcitabine .

Ifosfamide .

Mitomycin .

Paclitaxel .

If you are age 26 or younger, you can get the HPV vaccine, which protects against two types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer. Gardasil, Cervarix 

Diagnostic tests- physical exam (pelvic exam and a Pap test)

Tests to confirm a diagnosis of cervical cancer include:

A colposcopy and cervical biopsy. This test can find out whether and where cancer cells are on

the surface of the cervix.

endocervical biopsy (or curettage ). This test is to find out whether cancer cells are in the

cervical canal.

A cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). These tests are sometimes

recommended to remove cervical tissue for examination under a microscope.

Tests to find out the stage and treatmentTests to find the extent (stage) of cervical cancer include:

chest X-ray  

CT scan

ultrasound

MRI .

PET scan  to check for cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.

biopsy  using fine-needle aspiration.