All about Cervical cancer

November 20, 2022

7 minutes read

What is Cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer refers to a type of cancer that develops in the cell of a woman’s cervix, the bottom part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina. Globally, cervical cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in women.

Most of the time, cervical cancer is caused by a virus commonly known as HPV (Human papillomavirus). It can easily be transmitted from someone through sexual contact. There are several types of HPV virus, but not all of them cause Cervical cancer. HPV infection is quite common. And in most people, the infection is dealt with by the body’s own immune system. However, many times the infection doesn’t go away and becomes chronic. When this chronic infection is caused by certain high-risk HPV viruses, it ends up resulting in Cervical Cancer.

HPV type 16 and type 18 are associated with Cervical cancer. These types, over a period of time, cause changes in the lesions and cervix cells by invading the cervix tissues that degenerate into cancer.

Therefore, it is important for women to get Pap tests regularly, at least once in two or three years. Pap tests can help find out any change in the cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If the infection can be found in the initial stage, cancer can be prevented.

What are the symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

There are rarely any specific symptoms caused by changes in cervical cells. Symptoms only procure if these changes turn into cervical cancer. Therefore, it’s difficult to diagnose cervical cancer at an early stage.

Some of these symptoms are:

Abnormal bleeding from the vagina, like, bleeding between the menstrual period, after menopause or after sexual intercourse. You may experience menstrual periods that are heavier or longer than usual.
Pain could show up in any area of your pelvis. It could also range from a sharp pain to a dull ache. Pain during sex or urination is also a warning sign.
Pain in the lower abdomen and back
A watery, pink or foul-smelling vaginal discharge is common. The discharge may contain blood sometimes.

What are the causes of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is commonly caused by a virus called HPV (Human papillomavirus). It can easily be transmitted to someone during sexual activities. However, there are several types of HPV virus and not all of them cause Cervical cancer. HPV infection is quite common in women. And in most patients, the infection gets resolved by the body’s own immune system. However, in some cases, the infection doesn’t get cured and becomes chronic. When the chronic infection is caused by certain high-risk strains of HPV viruses, it eventually results in Cervical Cancer. HPV type 16 and type 18 are associated with Cervical cancer. These strains, over a period of time, cause changes in the lesions and cervix cells by invading the tissues in the cervix, further developing into cancer.

What are the risk factors for Cervical Cancer?

Some of the significant cervical cancer risk factors are:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is one of the most common and prominent risk factors for contracting Cervical Cancer. HPV, or Human papillomavirus, refers to a group of more than 150 viruses that are correlated to each other
Papilloma is a type of growth, which is more commonly known as warts. HPV infection is quite common. And in most patients, the infection cleared itself. However, the condition sometimes doesn’t go away and becomes a chronic problem. When high-risk HPV viruses cause chronic infection, it can eventually result in cancer,
Smoking: Women who smoke have twice more probability of suffering from cervical cancer than non-smokers. Researchers believe that cigarette substances damage the DNA of cervix cells and contribute to the development of Cervical cancer.
Having a weakened immune system: The immune system of women gets damaged by the AIDS-causing virus Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which makes them more vulnerable to getting an HPV infection. In addition, since the immune system is vital for destroying cancer cells and stopping them from spreading, women with HIV are more at risk of suffering from Cervical cancer.
Chlamydia infection is a very common virus that can spread by sexual contact and infect the reproductive organs. Pelvic infection can be caused by Chlamydia infection, which can also lead to infertility. There is a high risk of Cervical cancer in women who are suffering from Chlamydia infection or have even suffered from the condition in the past.
Using oral contraceptives for long-term (birth control pills): risk of cervical cancer is increased if someone is using Oral Contraceptives for a long time. But risk also goes down after ten years of stopping Oral Contraceptives.
Being younger than 17 at your first full-term pregnancy: Women who have undergone full-term pregnancy before crossing 17 years of age have two times higher risk of cervical cancer in comparison to women who have undergone pregnancy after the age of 25.
Family History: Sometimes Cervical cancer runs in the family. If the mother or sister or any close relative in the bloodline has it, the chances of getting the same become higher.

How to diagnose Cervical Cancer?

Pap test: The abnormal cells in the vagina or cervix can be checked by a Pap test. It can detect even little changes in cervical cells before those turn into cancer. If it is diagnosed in the initial stage, cancer can be prevented.
The Pap test is one of the best screening tools for Cervical cancer. According to studies, up to 50% of newly diagnosed women with cervical cancer patients have never had a Pap test.
Colposcopy: In this process, by using an instrument much like a microscope (colposcope) after applying a vinegar-like solution to the cervix, the physician looks closely for abnormal areas in the cervix. A small portion of cervical tissue can also be removed by the physician for further examination by a pathologist.
Endocervical Curettage: For the areas which cannot be seen by Colposcopy, Endocervical Curettage (ECC) can be used to look inside the opening of the cervix. To scrap the tissue from inside of the cervix opening, a small curette (a spoon-type instrument) is used.
LEEP: Another method of biopsy is called loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). It is performed with an electric wire loop connected to a generator, conducted after the patient is administered local anaesthesia. For biopsy or to remove a thin, round piece of tissue, this loop is used.

Treatment: To save from Cervical cancer?

Surgery for Cervical Cancer –To help treat cervical cancer, many types of surgeries are recommended. Some of them are:
Cryosurgery: The abnormal cells are killed by getting frozen by a cold metal probe placed directly on the cervix. A lot of watery brown discharge can happen for a few weeks after Cryosurgery.
Laser surgery: To vaporize abnormal cells or to remove a small piece of tissue for study, a focused laser beam is directed through the vagina. This is done under local anaesthesia.
Conization: It is done using a thin wire heated by electricity (the loop electrosurgical, LEEP or LEETZ procedure) or using a surgical or laser knife on the cervix; a small cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed. And then, by using the microscope, that tissue is examined. If tissue margins contain cancer cells, it means some cancer cells may have been left behind. Then further treatment would be needed.
Radical hysterectomy: The upper part of the vagina next to the cervix and the uterus, along with the tissues next to the uterus, is removed by the surgeon for this operation. An incision in the abdomen is made for this surgery.

Radiation Therapy

Brachytherapy: It is a type of internal radiation therapy. The source of radiation is placed in a device inside the vagina where cancer cells are present to kill the cancer cells. This type of Brachytherapy is known as ‘Intracavitary brachytherapy’ which is used to treat Cervical Cancer.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used with radiation therapy to treat cervical cancer. It uses an anti-cancer drug that is injected into veins or the mouth. These drugs then run through veins and reach areas of the body to kill cancer cells. In cases of Cervical cancer, chemotherapy helps radiation work better.

What are the Complications of Cervical Cancer?

Complications of cervical cancer occur as a side effect of treatment. Some of the complications are:

Kidney failure: In some cases of cervical cancer, the flow of urine out of the kidney can be blocked because of a cancerous tumour being pressed against the ureters. And because of that, it can lead to kidney failure.
Blood clots: Like any other form of cancer, cervical cancer also can make blood more likely to clot. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is a type of blood clot, can also occur in cases of cervical cancer.
Bleeding: Significant damage is caused if cancer spreads in the bladder and blood start coming out of the vagina or with bowel or urine.
Fistula: It is basically an abnormal channel which can develop between two parts of the body. A fistula develops between the vagina and bladder in most cases of cervical cancer. It can cause persistent discharge of fluid from the vagina.

Prevention of cervical cancer

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the major cause in most cases of cervical cancer. It can be spread through unprotected sex. So, using protection like condoms during sex can reduce your chances of developing this infection.

There is a vaccine called Gardasil, which is used as a vaccine for HPV. It protects against four types of HPV, including HPV16 and HPV18, which are two of the most common cause of cervical cancers. It also protects against genital warts. Even if you are vaccinated for HPV, it is imperative that you undergo cervical screening tests because vaccination for HPV doesn’t guarantee protection against HPV.

Smoking can increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. People who smoke are more likely to contract the HPV virus when compared to non-smokers. So, quitting smoking lowers the risk.

Whom to consult for Cervical Cancer?

A GYNAECOLOGIST: A doctor who treats diseases related to female reproductive organs. They would be the first doctors you should consult if you have any symptoms of cervical cancer.
A GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST: If it is confirmed that the person is suffering from Cervical cancer, then they should consult a gynaecologic oncologist. They specialize in cancers of the female reproductive system.
A RADIATION ONCOLOGIST: It is possible that for the treatment of cervical cancer, you will need radiotherapy.
A MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: For the treatment of any type of cancer, chemotherapy is used along with other medication. A medical oncologist should be consulted, therefore.