Cervix is a part of female reproductive system. It is the hollow cylinder like narrow part of lower uterus, which forms a canal between vagina and uterus. Cervix is also known as neck of the uterus.
When abnormal malignant tumour cells start multiplying in the lining of the cervix at an uncontrollable rate, it is referred as cervical cancer. Unlike normal cells in the body, these abnormal cells do not die instead they keep dividing. Cervical cancer affects the entrance to the womb.
With less than 1 million cases per year in India, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.
Initially cervical cancer has no visible symptoms of its existence. That is why cervical cancer is usually detected at advanced stages.
Following are some the noticeable body indicators for cervical cancer development:
Knowing the type of cervical cancer one might be developing is very crucial in order to identify the treatment to be undergone and assessing the approximate timeline for which prognosis will continue.
Following are the two major types of cervical cancer:
Many people suffer from both type of cervical cancer at the same time. There are very thin chances of cancer cell initial occurrence anywhere else in the cervix.
It refers to procedure that helps determine whether cancer has developed only in the cervix or has metastasized (grown) in other parts of body.
Cervical cancer can be categorised into four stages:
Following is the brief discussion of each of these four stages:
During this stage cancer cells are found within the cervix only. This stage is further divided into two categories IA and IB.
Stage IA1: Under this stage cancer cells are not more than 3 millimeters deep.
Stage IA2: Under this stage cancer cells are not deeper than 5 millimeters.
Stage IB1: In this stage, cancer is around 2 centimeters large and can invade up to 5 millimeters.
Stage IB2: In this stage cancer is between 2 to 4 centimeters large.
Stage IB3: In this stage cancer is larger than 4 centimeters.
Under this stage cancer has spread to the upper area of vagina i.e. stage IIA; or to the tissues surrounding uterus i.e. stage IIB.
Based upon the size of tumor, stage IIA is further divided into two categories:
Stage IIA1: Where cancer is up to 4 centimeters large.
Stage IIA2: Where cancer is larger than 4 centimeters.
This stage has three sub stages based upon the development of cancer cells into body:
Stage IIIA: Cancer spreads to the lower area of vagina.
Stage IIIB: Cancer spreads to the pelvic wall and/or blocks ureters by getting bigger and in some cases it also causes kidney failure.
Stage IIIC: Cancer spreads to the pelvic and /or abdominal lymph nodes.
This is the most advanced stage of cervical cancer wherein tumor spreads beyond pelvis. It has two sub-stages:
Stage IVA: During this stage cancer occurs to bladder and/or rectum.
Stage IVB: In this stage cancer spreads to other body organs bsuch as liver, lungs and also to bones and lymph nodes.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection is the most common reason responsible for cervical cancer.
Human Papillomavirus is a cluster of more than 150 viruses, wherein some of them are communicated through oral, anal and vaginal sex. HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause 70% of the cervical cancers.
HPV infection can be categorised into low risk HPV and high risk HPV. This human papillomavirus can infect both men and women.
HPV can be transmitted through any skin to skin contact between sexual partners.
Primarily our immunity system is responsible for prevention against HPV infection, so that they do not turn into cancer.
Having many sexual partners can increase the risk of getting infected with HPV, which eventually increases the probability of developing cervical cancer.
People who start having sex at young age have higher risk of getting cervical cancer, as compared to those who did not become sexually active at an early age.
Women who consume oral contraceptive pills for a long span of time are more exposed to the risk of getting cervical cancer.
Being a chain smoker or an addict of any such drug increases the chances of cervical cancer.
People suffering from HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), AIDS tend to have a weaker immunity system which makes them more prone towards diseases.
Following are some of the measures that will help you to reduce the risk of getting affected from cervical cancer:
HPV vaccines are a great measure for preventing many HPV cancers and genital warts cases. Though these vaccines can be given to adults up to 45 years of age, research have shown that they are most effective when given between ages 9 to 15. Also, it is important to know that vaccines cannot cure an infection; it can only prevent one from getting infected.
To some extent condoms and other precautionary measures can reduce the chances of getting infected from HPV. Also limiting the no. of sexual partners will help you lower the risk of HIV, HPV and cervical cancer.
People who do not smoke or those who are away from similar drug addictions have less chances of getting cervical cancer.
Healthy bodily habits such as daily exercising, taking a healthy nutritious diet and maintaining better living standard will help you achieve a good living environment, which ultimately lower your risk of developing dreadful diseases such as cervical cancer.
Following are the few tests which are performed on the patient in order to establish the fact whether or not patient is suffering from cervical cancer, and if yes it alsi helps determine the type and stage of cervical cancer:
Different prognosis and treatment procedure is adopted for people suffering from cervical cancer depending upon the type of cancer, stage of detection, etc.
Following are some standard treatments which are currently being given to patients having cervical cancer:
In many cases cervical cancer has been seen as recurrent in nature, therefore regular follow up check-ups are necessary in order to ascertain if there are any signs for cervical cancer even if patient has successfully recovered from cancer in past.
Symptoms like:
During the first two years after recovery follow up check-up is needed in every 3 to 4 months. Thereafter it can be done every 6 months. Follow up check-up routine also depends upon patient’s case history and risk of reoccurrence.