Getting a Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
Getting diagnosed with cervical cancer is a very stressful and painful experience. However, the good news is that there are many treatments available for women with cervical cancer. In fact, you should consider taking steps to detect the disease before it develops into a serious issue. The sooner you know you have cancer, the better off you will be.
Precancerous conditions of the cervix
Among women aged 21 years or older, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has many strains. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact, or by having a close sexual relationship.
When cervical cancer is detected early, it has a better chance of being cured. It is important to have a regular cervical cancer screening, which includes a Pap test, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), and an HPV DNA test. Having an abnormal Pap test or VIA test may indicate that you may be at risk of developing cervical cancer. It is also important to follow up on your results.
If your test shows that you have precancerous cells, you may need to undergo surgery. There are several surgeries available for treating cervical dysplasia and precancerous disease. The most extensive surgeries include a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and a total hysterectomy. The latter surgery is performed with general anesthesia, and women may experience lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, and a hospital stay.
A precancerous lesion is a change in the cells on the cervix that can occur at any stage. Precancerous lesions may occur on the squamous cells of the cervix, or on the glandular cells. These are usually called squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). A SIL is divided into low-grade (LSIL) and high-grade (HSIL) SILs. Low-grade SILs affect only the cells on the surface of the cervix.
When a Pap test shows abnormal cells on the cervix, the doctor may perform a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or a cold knife cone biopsy. LEEP is a surgical procedure that uses a scalpel to remove a section of the cervix through the vagina. The surgeon removes any abnormal tissue with the help of a laser. It is often performed in an outpatient surgical center.
Precancerous lesions of the cervix are associated with a history of sexually transmitted infections. Women who have had multiple sexual partners are significantly more likely to develop the condition than those who have not had sexual partners.
Precancerous lesions of squamous cells can be mild and go away on their own. However, a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion is more likely to progress to cervical cancer.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
Symptoms of cervical cancer vary depending on the stage of cancer. In the early stages of cancer, symptoms may be vague. They include pain or discomfort during sex, as well as changes in vaginal discharge. In the later stages, the symptoms become more obvious.
The symptoms of cervical cancer may last for several weeks or months. If symptoms last more than two weeks, you may want to see your doctor. You may also be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further testing. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and any past sexually transmitted diseases you may have.
Cervical cancer usually begins in the squamous cells of the cervix. Squamous cells are flat cells that line the surface of the cervix. These cells can become precancerous, which may lead to cancer. The precancerous cells can be diagnosed with a cervical smear test or Pap test. The doctor will then examine the cells for abnormalities.
The test will also check for the presence of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a virus that causes several types of cancer. Most HPV strains are destroyed by the immune system, but some strains may cause precancerous changes in the cervix.
There are three stages of cervical cancer. These are stage 0 (precancerous cells), stage 1 (cancer cells), and stage 2 (cancer cells in the uterus). In stage 3, cancer cells may develop in the walls of the pelvis or nearby lymph nodes. Symptoms may include swollen legs, pelvic pain, and difficulty peeing. The doctor may also perform a biopsy to determine the extent of cancer.
The risk of developing cervical cancer increases if you have a family history of the disease. Also, you are at higher risk if you have a sexually transmitted infection or HIV.
The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to make sure you get regular check-ups. You can also reduce your risk of the disease by practicing safe sex and avoiding smoking. You may also want to avoid certain medications that suppress your immune system. You may also need to take an HPV vaccine.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of cervical cancer can be scary. It is a devastating disease. Fortunately, there are treatments available. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s health.
The first step in getting a diagnosis of cervical cancer is to have a Pap test. Pap testing is performed by collecting cells from the cervix. A small sample of cells is then sent to a lab for testing. If the test reveals abnormal cells, a biopsy may be performed.
Another technique used to diagnose cervical cancer is a CT scan. This test can reveal the extent of cancer and any cellular abnormalities. A CT scan can also help detect liver and kidney problems.
When the Pap test results indicate a high risk for cervical cancer, a woman may undergo a colposcopy. Colposcopy is a procedure that involves the removal of a small section of the cervix. The doctor may use a needle to take a tissue sample, or he or she may use a wire loop to draw a small piece of tissue. The doctor will then send the tissue to a lab to be tested for precancerous changes.
A doctor may also perform a biopsy of the cervix. This may be performed under anesthesia to allow the doctor to better examine the cervix. A biopsy may also cure a pre-cancerous lesion.
If the cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated with surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of cancer as possible. This procedure may also involve removing the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
Other treatment options for cervical cancer include radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases, cancer may be treated with immunotherapy. This therapy interferes with the ability of cancer cells to grow and form tumors.
In addition, some patients may be referred to a palliative care specialist. This doctor specializes in working with the patient and his or her family. They will help the patient during the last few months of life. Palliative care includes pain relief and pain management.
Treatment
Depending on the stage of cervical cancer, a woman’s treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. Treatment is also affected by other factors such as age, health, and desire to have children.
The four-stage system of cervical cancer staging is used to assess the spread of cancer. The tumor’s size, whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other organs, and whether the cancer is in the cervix or vagina are factors that determine what type of treatment is most effective.
Surgery is a common method of treating cervical cancer. Surgery involves removing the cervix and uterus. It may also involve removing other pelvic organs.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs may be given by vein, through an injection, or in pill form. They are usually given in cycles. Chemotherapy is particularly harsh on cancer cells that replicate quickly.
Radiation therapy is also used after surgery to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is delivered through a machine outside the body. Radiation is often combined with chemotherapy to make the treatment more effective. Radiation therapy is also used when cancer has spread.
A patient may also undergo a biopsy. A biopsy may be required if the Pap test results show abnormal cells. The doctor may also use a human papillomavirus DNA test.
Cancer cells are usually protected from the immune system by proteins. Immunotherapy can be used to interfere with undetectable cancer cells and boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
If chemotherapy or radiation therapy is not effective, immunotherapy may be used. This type of treatment involves blocking the growth of new blood vessels.
Another type of treatment is cryosurgery. This method freezes cancer cells. These types of treatments can be performed in an outpatient clinic or in a hospital under general anesthesia.
Cervical cancer can be cured when it is found early. There is a good success rate for early-stage cancer. However, if cancer has spread, the success rate is lower.
The rate of cervical cancer is declining in the United States due to screening programs and the HPV vaccine. However, it is still important for women to get regular screenings.
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