Cancer of the cervix

Description
The cervical cancer affects the cervix is ??an organ of the female genital tract. Although it is at the top of the vagina, it is the lowest part of the uterus (womb).
The term cancer refers to a type of disorder characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and uncontrolled. The cervix is ??made up of healthy cells particularly susceptible to abnormal cell changes. The term applies to tumor or neoplasm cells in abnormal development. Tumors may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). A benign tumor does not invade the tissues or organs nearby and it does not usually reappear after being removed. By cons, a malignant tumor can spread (eg. From the cervix) and infiltrate other tissues or spread to other organs.
The cervical cancer is the second type of the most common gynecological cancer in North America. The incidence of cervical cancer has declined dramatically since the 1950s. Testing performed using the Pap test (also known as Pap smear) is a factor that played a role of major importance in the decline. The Pap test can detect changes in cervical cells.
As mentioned previously, some of these changes are not cancerous, but a few of them can become cancerous. If precancerous cells are not detected and no treatment is used, they can develop into cancer that invades the uterine cervix. Therefore, regular screening using the Pap test for early detection of precancerous cells and the institution of treatment before the cells become cancerous.
It is estimated that each year 1,300 new diagnoses of cervical cancer are laid in Canada. Among the patients, 390 women die from this cancer. The lifetime risk of cervical cancer is estimated at 1 in 148 for a resident of Canada. Almost all cervical cancers can be cured happily when the diagnosis is raised at an early stage. The cure rate of cervical cancer in stage 1 (invasive cancer confined to the cervix) is between 80% and 90%.
Since some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancer of the cervix, a vaccine against HPV is available in Canada since 2006. It is desirable that the female population aged 9 to 26 years receive the vaccine against HPV to protect against strains of HPV responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers.
Most cases of cervical cancers can be prevented or cured when they are detected in the initial stages.

Causes

Some factors increase the risk of cancer of the cervix. Until now, it is not clear what causes cell abnormalities and their uncontrolled proliferation.

HPV: The most important risk factor is an infection of the cervix with HPV. An HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). An estimated 75% of people of childbearing age will be affected at least one time in their lives by an HPV infection. While some types of HPV cause genital warts, some strains of the virus can infect the cervix and cause abnormal cell changes that lead to a slow cancer. It should be noted that most women with cervical cancer have suffered previously from an HPV infection, but all women with a disease with HPV do not develop this cancer.

Sexual activity: sexual life early (before age 18) was associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. In addition, certain sexual behaviors (like many sexual partners or a partner with multiple sexual partners) may increase the likelihood of HPV infection, and therefore the risk of cervical cancer.

Smoking: People who smoke are at greater risk of cervical cancer and other cancers. The occurrence of cervical cancer was also associated with smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke). In fact, the risk increases with duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

Weakened immune system: Our immune system helps your body fight infections. Therefore, drugs and diseases that weaken the immune system may increase the risk of HPV infections and the possibility of cervical cancer. Drugs that weaken the immune systems are corticosteroids (long term) and chemotherapy drugs. Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at higher risk of precancerous changes in the cervix when they become infected with HPV.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): DES is a form of estrogen that was prescribed between 1940 and 1971 in pregnant women. According to some studies, daughters of these women at increased risk of precancerous changes and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Age: most cervical cancers tend to affect women who are under 50 years.

Socioeconomic status: it is less likely that Pap tests are carried out regularly among women with lower incomes, they are therefore at higher risk of cervical cancer.

Other risk factors: other possible risk factors were associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, there is insufficient evidence at present to keep them as major risk factors. These factors include prolonged use of oral contraceptives (more than 10 years), family history of cervical cancer and STIs in the background.

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms do not always occur during the initial stages of cervical cancer. It is very important to note that another condition may trigger symptoms similar to those of cervical cancer:

abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods;

of pain during sex or bleeding after intercourse;

serous vaginal discharge with light or nauseating;

an increased amount of vaginal discharge.

At later stages, symptoms may occur as tumors grow or invade other organs:

pelvic pain or back;

Leakage of urine (incontinence) or blood in the urine (hematuria);

weight loss;

loss of appetite or anorexia;

shortness of breath;

anemia (causing a lack of energy and shortness of breath);

blood in the stool;

of constipation.

Diagnosis

The cervical cancer is detected primarily by the Pap test. It is used to highlight cancer or precancerous cells that could lead to cancer. This review is named after its inventor George Papanicolaou.

The Pap test is a rapid and simple method which does not usually cause pain. A doctor rubs the surface of the cervix using a small brush or a spatula to collect cells that are then examined in a laboratory.

If the Pap test show a transformation or abnormalities in cervical cells, additional tests or surgical procedures could take place. Your doctor will tell you what tests or interventions suit you best:

another Pap test in a few months to see if the changes persist;

a test for HPV can occur in combination with the Pap test to highlight a cervical cancer. It may be a further review if the Pap smear abnormalities. Since the majority of cervical cancers start with a HPV infection, this review can detect the virus in cervical cells. Specifically, the HPV test determines whether a woman is infected with one HPV type likely to cause cervical cancer;

colposcopy performed using a colposcope (an instrument with a light and a dissecting microscope) examines the cervix. A dye is applied on fabrics to make more visible abnormalities;

biopsy involves extracting a small amount of tissue to be dealt with in a laboratory that will confirm if the cervical cells are benign, precancerous or cancerous.

At present, it is recommended to the Canadian women aged 18 to 69 years (or under 18 who are sexually active) to perform regular cervical smears for screening. The Pap test should be performed one time each year or one every three years, according to screening guidelines in force in your jurisdiction, and the results of your previous review. Women at high risk of cervical cancer may need more frequent testing. Ask your doctor how often a Pap test should occur to you.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment options given in the case of cervical cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The treatment decisions are made by an oncologist (a doctor specializing in cancer) according to the following factors: the size of the tumor, cancer stage (severity or presence of precancerous changes), personal factors of women (eg. his age, his desire to have children), his general health and any previous treatment. The oncologist will discuss treatment options that best suit a particular case.

Surgery

Cryosurgery is a method of destroying abnormal cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This type of surgery is usually performed to treat precancerous cervical changes.

Laser surgery uses a high energy beam to destroy abnormal cells. It can destroy the precancerous or cancerous cells. Laser surgery is usually performed when the area of ??the cervix is ??injured can not be achieved by cryosurgery.

The loop electrosurgical excision is an ablation technique performed under local anesthesia through a small loop of fine wire metal driven by electric power.

Hysterectomy is surgical removal of the uterus. It is required in the case of invasive cancer (tumors more scalable or larger). Other organs such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes and parts of the vagina can also be removed simultaneously. There are different types of hysterectomy:

total hysterectomy, which involves extracting the cervix and uterus;

radical hysterectomy that includes removal of the cervix, uterus, the upper vagina, supporting tissues and lymph nodes.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation, or to particles of radioactive elements to destroy cancer cells in a localized area of ??the body. Radiotherapy is to kill cancer cells while sparing normal cells nearby.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be used in combination with radiotherapy. Chemotherapy has at least one anticancer drug that prevents cancer cells from dividing and reproducing. It can seek in the treatment of metastatic cancer (which spread to other organs) and recurrent tumors.

Prevention

Women can minimize their risk of cervical cancer by not getting an HPV infection. The virus is most commonly transmitted by sexual contact and during sexual intercourse. By refraining from touching the genitals of an infected person, and using a condom will reduce the risk of HPV infection. It is important to remember that condoms are relatively effective because they only protect the body part they cover. Other forms of female contraceptives like birth control pills, diaphragms and IUDs do not protect women against infection with HPV.

When a woman who used to smoke to quit, it decreases the risk of cervical cancer.

Vaccination is another way to prevent cervical cancer. The first vaccine against HPV in the world has been approved in Canada and the United States in 2006. Vaccination provides immunity against four different HPV types. It is estimated that these two types of HPV cause 70% of cases of cervical cancer.

The vaccine is currently available for females aged 9 to 26. Since the vaccine is more effective for women who have not yet been exposed to HPV, it is preferable that the women receive before they n'amorcent their sex lives. But women who are already sexually active can also take advantage of the benefits of the vaccine if they have not contracted HPV. The vaccine is given in three doses over a period of 6 months.

Whereas the vaccine does not confer protection against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, it is essential that a regular Pap test is done to prevent a disease caused by HPV infection.

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