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The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina. The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the ectocervix. Most cervical cancers start where these 2 parts meet.
Cancer of the cervix (also known as cervical cancer) begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancers do not form suddenly. Normal cervical cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer.
There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Cervical cancers and precancers are classified by how they look under a microscope. About 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are composed of cells that resemble the flat, thin cells called squamous cells that cover the surface of the endocervix. Squamous cell carcinomas most often begin where the ectocervix joins the endocervix.
The remaining 10% to 20% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas.
Risk factors and causes of cervical cancer
Doctors cannot always explain why one woman develops cervical cancer and another does not. However, we do know that a woman with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop cervical cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.
Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer. These factors may act together to increase the risk even more:
- Human papillomaviruses (HPVs): HPV infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix. HPV infections are very common. These viruses can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. These changes can lead to genital warts, cancer, and other problems. Doctors may check for HPV even if there are no warts or other symptoms.
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Lack of regular Pap tests: Cervical cancer is more common among women who do not have regular Pap tests. The Pap test helps doctors find precancerous cells. Treating precancerous cervical changes often prevents cancer.
3. Weakened immune system (the body’s natural defense system): Women with HIV(the virus that causes AIDS) infection or who take drugs that suppress the immune system have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. For these women, doctors suggest regular screening for cervical cancer.
4. Age: Cancer of the cervix occurs most often in women over the age of 40.
5. Sexual history: Women who have had many sexual partners have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. Also, a woman who has had sexual intercourse with a man who has had many sexual partners may be at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. In both cases, the risk of developing cervical cancer is higher because these women have a higher-than-average risk of HPV infection.
6. Smoking cigarettes: Women with an HPV infection who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of cervical cancer than women with HPV infection who do not smoke.
7. Using birth control pills for a long time: Using birth control pills for a long time (5 or more years) may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.
8. Having many children: Studies suggest that giving birth to many children may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.
SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER
Precancerous changes and early cancers of the cervix generally do not cause pain or other symptoms. It is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.
When the disease gets worse, women may notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding:
· Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods
· Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam
· Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before
·Bleeding after menopause
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
DIAGNOSIS OF CERVICAL CARCINOMA
Diagnosis is made by Pap smear during pelvic examination, colposcopy (viewing the cervix with 10-20x magnification), and punch biopsy (obtaining small amounts of tissue for analysis under the microscope) and endocervical curettage (gentle scraping of the cervical opening).
PAP SMEAR TEST
A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer – a common cancer in women. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.
Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. About 13,000 women in America will find out they have cervical cancer this year. And in 2004, 3,500 women died from cervical cancer in the United States.
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TREATMENT of Cervical Cancer
Treatment for very early CERVICAL CARCINOMA depends on the age of the woman and on the preferences of the patient and her doctor. Treatment may involve cryosurgery, cauterization, conization, laser treatment or hysterectomy. Conization is the usual treatment for young women who wish to have children. Most women who do not want to have additional children are treated with total hysterectomy (removal of the cervix and uterus.)
Treatment for invasive cancer of the cervix depends on the extent of the disease. Patients whose cancer has invaded only the cervix and those whose disease has extended into the tissues next to the cervix or to the upper vagina can be treated effectively with either surgery or radiation therapy. Surgery may be a total hysterectomy or a radical hysterectomy (removal of the cervix, uterus, upper vagina and the lymph nodes in the area.) Both internal and external radiation therapy can be used to treat invasive cervical cancer.
Patients with cancer that has spread to the pelvis, the lower part of the vagina or to the ureter are treated with radiation therapy alone. Again, both internal and external radiation therapy can be used.
Patients with cervical cancer that has spread to the bladder, rectum or distant parts of the body, may receive chemotherapy in addition to surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy also is used to treat patients whose disease recurs following treatment with surgery or radiation therapy.
Dr. Vandana Chhimwal
Filed under: Educational, Medical | Tagged: adenocarcinoma, bleeding, cancer, cervical cancer, CERVICAL CARCINOMA, menopause, PAP SMEAR TEST
There are more than 100 types of HPV and in that case Human Papilloma Virus has no cure but can be treated should it produce plantar warts on the feet, common hand warts, juvenile warts, butcher’s warts, and genital warts.Abstinence is the only 100 percent-effective way to avoid genital HPV infection.Smokers may be more likely to develop HPV infection than nonsmokers. They are also more likely to have the infection recur.Use condoms every time. They can reduce the risk of genital warts which is as a result of HPV infection. But they are known not to be as effective against HPV.
Thank you Wangeci Kinyanjui for your worthily comment.
hello mam,
i have read all the detail written above regarding adenocarcinoma. i know someone who is suffering from this grave disease at 4th stage. can u plz help us. we will be obliged if u could help us on humanity ground.i not only hope rather i m sure u would make necessary help in this regard.
thanks
Hello Sabeen,
I’m sorry to hear about it. I can help you by providing some material on the treatment of adenocarcinoma.
This can be treated by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy or a combination of all. your doctor will decide what mode of treatment to use after consulting with the pathologist.
Since the surgeon is aware of the other factors involved like the para-aortic lymph nodes, degree of invasion into the uterus and the surrounding structures, he will chose the surgical options that include conization, cryosurgery, laser surgery, or LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure). In some cases, a hysterectomy may be required to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina. During a hysterectomy, a surgeon may remove both the fallopian tubes and ovaries with a procedure called salpingo-oophorectomy. The surgeon also may remove the lymph nodes near the tumor to have the pathologist examine them for cancer.
Speaking about Radiation therapy—pinpointed high-energy beams—can be used to shrink tumors or destroy cancer cells remaining after surgery. Radiation therapy can be used alone or with surgery or chemotherapy. Two types of radiation therapy can be used—external radiation, during which radiation comes from a large machine, or internal radiation, during which radiation is received through thin tubes (also called implants) inserted into the cervix
and finally
Chemotherapy may also be recommended. This treatment delivers drugs throughout the body, can slow the cancer’s progression, and may reduce pain.
I hope this helps you.
Takecare,
God bless
Hi. I was just diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma, stage 1B1. I have been on Enbrel for JRA for seven years. The doctors won’t say it is a factor, but it seems to make sense that it is. I haven’t taken any Enbrel since I found out a week ago.
a href=”http://www.isamap.com/?p=13″> VAGINAL DISCHARGE is just a natural concept of creation by God and this leaves our sisters with nothing to alter except to appreciate the entire thing. Let the fluid surge out of organ but do not allow yourself to suffer in silence when the same fluid becomes sickening.