Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a cancer that begins in the cervix, the part of the uterus or womb that opens into the vagina. It occurs when the cells of the cervix grow abnormally and invade other tissues and organs of the body. When it is invasive, this cancer affects the deeper tissues of the cervix and may have spread to other parts of the body (metastasis), most notably the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum.

The normal cervix has two main types of cells: squamous or flat cells, that protect the outside of the cervix and glandular cells, that are mostly inside the cervix, that make the fluid and mucus commonly seen during ovulation.

It is caused by abnormal changes in either of these cell types in the cervix, and is the only gynecologic cancer that can be prevented by regular screening and preventive vaccination. Cervical cancer usually affects women between the ages of 30 and 55.

Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer and cervical pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. That is why it is important to have a Pap test. A woman usually does not have any symptoms until the cells turn into cancer and invade the deepest parts of the cervix or other pelvic organs. These are common symptoms in women who have developed cervical cancer.

• Increased Vaginal Discharge
• Vaginal odor
• Menstrual bleeding

Treatment

Treatment usually depends on the clinical/radiological stage of the tumor.Surgery is the most common treatment for early cervical cancer, although radiation can also be used. The final choice for you will depend on several factors ,especially the stage and size of your cancer as well as your general health.

Stages of Cervical Cancer

• Stage I: Cancer has spread from the cervix lining into the deeper tissue but is still just found in the uterus.
• Stage II: Cancer has spread beyond the cervix to nearby areas, such as the vagina or tissue near the cervix, but it is still inside the pelvic area.
• Stage III:Cancer has spread outside the cervix and vagina
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to the lungs, liver, spleen, brain, and bone