The most common type of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It starts in the cells that line the cervix. Other types of cervical cancer start in glandular cells or in other tissues. They can spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors use tests to find out if cancer has spread. Then they treat it. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
The goal of cervical cancer screening is to find changes in the cells of the cervix that may lead to precancer or cancer. The most common way to screen for cervical cancer is with a Pap test. Other tests can also be used, but a Pap test is usually the first one that most health professionals will use.
Screening for cervical cancer can help find pre-cancer and cancer early, when they are easier to treat. However, screening has some risks. For example, it can result in unnecessary follow-up or treatment because a screen may detect abnormalities that would not have progressed to invasive cancer without the screen (that is, false-positive results). It can also result in over-detection of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (LSIL), which can lead to overtreatment of these lesions.
Invasive cervical cancer typically develops over years, even decades, from pre-cancer (CIN) in the transformation zone. This area is where the skin-like cells of the ectocervix meet the glandular cells that produce mucus on the endocervix. Cancer most often starts in these cells and it can spread to other tissues (metastasize).
Progress in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality has been uneven. This is mainly due to the fact that a large number of women are not screened, or if they are screened, they are lost to follow-up or receive ineffective treatment.
Well-implemented cytology programmes can reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer but they are challenging to implement in resource-limited settings. A successful cytology programme needs to have the right infrastructure, training for health-care providers, and systems to ensure that a specimen is properly collected, fixed/preserved, safely delivered to the laboratory, accurately processed and interpreted, and reliably delivered back to the provider and woman.
Current recommendations are to screen every 5 years with cytology plus high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing or every 3 years with hrHPV testing alone among women aged 30 to 65 years. These are the preferred strategies based on trial, cohort and modelling results. Cotesting with a more sensitive test reduces the frequency of false-positive results and leads to less unnecessary follow-up and treatment.
Cervical cancer starts in cells of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (or womb, where a baby grows) and the vagina. It takes between three and seven years for precancerous cell changes to become cervical cancer. Regular Pap tests help find these changes and treat them before they can become cancer. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. HPV is a very common virus that most people get at some point in their lives. Most HPV infections go away on their own or are prevented with a vaccine.
Sometimes, the Pap test may find abnormal cells that aren’t cancer. These are called false-positive results. They can lead to unnecessary follow-up tests and treatment that might not be necessary if the original Pap test hadn’t found them. This is why doctors are working to reduce the number of women who receive abnormal Pap test results that could be interpreted as precancer or cancer.
If the Pap test finds abnormal cells, your doctor will perform more tests to see whether they’re cancer and how far the cancer has spread. This process is called staging.
During a biopsy, your doctor will take out a small sample of the abnormal tissue and look at it under a microscope. This is the only way to be sure if an area of the cervix is a pre-cancer or invasive cancer and how advanced it is.
The type of cervical cancer you have will also affect your treatment plan. Most cervical cancers begin in the thin, flat cells that line the outer part of the cervix, called squamous cells. Some start in the column-shaped cells that line the cervix canal, called adenocarcinoma cells. Both types can cause cervical cancer, but squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of cervical cancer.
Your doctor will ask you about your health history and do a pelvic exam. You might need a cystoscopy, in which your doctor puts a lighted tube into your bladder through the urethra to see if the cancer has spread there. You might also need a ct scan or an MRI to check for cancer in your bones and to see how far the cervical cancer has spread.
If you have cervical cancer, your treatment plan will depend on the stage of the disease. The goal is to cure the cancer, control its spread and relieve symptoms. You may also take part in a clinical trial to test new treatments that might help you live longer.
Cervical cancer starts in cells that line the uterus (cervix). Precancerous cells are usually only in the outer layer of the cell, but they can grow and eventually invade deeper layers of tissue. Your doctor will find out how far the abnormal cells have spread by examining your pelvis and other parts of your body for signs of cancer. These tests are called staging.
A procedure called endocervical curettage removes a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. Your doctor will use a spoon-shaped tool, or a thin brush, to scrape the cells off your cervix and swab the inside of your uterus. You may receive medicine to numb the area so you don’t feel any pain. Your doctor might also do a biopsy using an electrical wire loop or a scalpel (cold knife conization or LEEP conization) to take a larger piece of the cervix for a closer look at the cells. You will have this done in the office and you will get medicine to numb the area before it is done.
If the cancer is very small and has not grown beyond your cervix, it might be possible to treat it with surgery to cut away the cancer cells and leave your cervix intact. This is called a cone biopsy and it might be an option for you if you want to be able to become pregnant in the future.
Other treatments include radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a drug that kills cancer cells in your body. You might receive chemotherapy by mouth or through an IV infusion. You might also receive targeted therapy to destroy specific proteins that cancer cells need to grow and spread. The targeted therapy can be given alone or together with chemo and radiation.
Once the cancer has been treated, you will continue to have regular follow-up visits to check for long-term side effects of treatment and to make sure the cancer has not come back (recurred). You may also need additional or different treatments if the original one did not completely cure you. During your visit, your health care team will check the results of any previous tests and will look at your cervix and vagina to see if there are signs of abnormal cells or damage from the original treatment.
The cervix is lined with squamous cells on the outer surface and columnar, glandular cells along the inner canal. The transition zone between these two types of cells is called the squamocolumnar junction, and most precancer and cervical cancer develop in this area.
Abnormal Pap test result: Some of the cells on your cervix look different than normal, but this does not mean that you have cancer. Your smear showed abnormal cells that should be checked again in the future.
High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cannot exclude carcinoma in situ: This means that some of the cells on your cervix looked like they could be precancer or cancer, but it is not certain. Your health care provider will probably ask you to come back for a colposcopy.
Adenocarcinoma in situ: This means that abnormal glandular cells were found in the lower part of your cervix. Adenocarcinoma in situ is not a cancer, but it might become cancer (cervical adenocarcinoma) in the future. Your health care provider will probably ask you about getting further testing and treatment.
Vaccination: You may be given the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer or recurrence. This is usually done at the same time as other cervical cancer screening tests.
The optimal way to follow up after cervical cancer treatment is not well understood. Some patients with very low risk of recurrence or a low burden of late effects may be followed more closely than others. We aimed to identify factors associated with preferences for long-term follow up in a sample of Norwegian cervical cancer survivors.
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way. This part of the female reproductive system is the opening to the womb (uterus). Most cases are caused by sexually transmitted HPV, which also causes genital warts. The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer develops when cells in the lining of the cervix grow abnormally. The cervix is the entrance to the uterus (womb). It usually takes years for these cells to change into cancer. Regular screening with a Pap test and HPV tests can catch these changes before they become cancer. Some women never have any symptoms of cervical cancer. But for those who do, symptoms may include pelvic pain or bleeding from the vagina.
A Pap test collects cells from the surface of the cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. During a Pap test, your health care provider inserts a small plastic tube called a speculum into the vagina. A special tool called a colposcope is then used to magnify the area and look for signs of precancerous or cancerous cells. If the Pap test shows that you have a higher risk for cervical cancer, your doctor will perform a biopsy.
About 3 out of 4 cases of cervical cancer start in squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. The other type, less common, starts in glandular cells and is harder to detect. A few cancers start in both squamous and glandular cells, a type called adenosquamous carcinoma.
The type of cancer that you have affects the treatment you receive. The stage of the cancer determines how far it has spread and which organs are affected. Staging is based on the results of your Pap test and biopsy, as well as how many times you’ve been screened and your age.
For early stage cancer, treatment may be a combination of medicines and radiation with low-dose chemotherapy. For advanced cancer, surgery is sometimes combined with other treatments.
The most important way to protect yourself against cervical cancer is to get routine Pap and HPV tests. A Pap test is a simple, quick and easy way to check your cervix for abnormal cells. You should also talk to your healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine if you’re sexually active. The vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer caused by HPV.
Pain or pressure in your lower pelvic area can be a sign that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the lower part of your body. These nodes are part of the system that carries blood and fights infection. This pain can be felt as a dull or sharp sensation and may get worse over time. It is sometimes accompanied by leg pain or a feeling of fullness in your abdomen.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other health problems, so it’s important to see your doctor if they are new or if they keep getting worse. It’s also important to tell your doctor if these symptoms are happening with a symptom that is usually only present during or right after menstrual periods, so they can check for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer occurs when cells in the cervix change and develop into abnormal tissue. The cervix is the lower narrow end of the uterus (womb) and joins it to the vagina (birth canal). Most cases of cervical cancer start in the cells of the cervix called the squamous cells. These cells make up the majority of the cervix’s surface. A Pap test or HPV test can look for precancerous cell changes, which if caught early enough, can stop cancer from developing in the future.
Some cancers, however, can develop in the glandular cells of the cervix and are harder to detect than others. These types of cancers are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas. Adenosquamous carcinomas are less common than squamous carcinomas, but they are still found in 1 in 10 cervical cancer cases.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may be treated with surgery or chemotherapy or both. The type of treatment will depend on the type of cervical cancer and how far it has spread. Radiation can be used to kill cancer cells, and drugs like bevacizumab (Avastin) can help chemotherapy work better by blocking the growth of blood vessels that feed cancerous tissues.
The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (or womb). It joins it to the vagina. Normally, cells in the cervix go through precancerous changes (called dysplasia) over many years. If these cells don’t get treated, they can turn into cancer. Pap smear tests and HPV testing help find precancerous cells and treat them before they become cancer.
If cancer spreads from the cervix to nearby tissues or organs, you may have symptoms like pain in the pelvis during urination and sexual intercourse. You may also experience a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis. These symptoms are more likely to develop as cancer progresses and moves into later stages.
When you have cervical cancer, your cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through your blood or lymphatic system. This stage of cancer is called metastatic cancer. It may cause problems in other areas of your body, such as the bones or liver.
Many women with cervical cancer don’t notice or think they have symptoms until they are in the advanced stages of the disease. This is because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as a menstrual cycle or urinary tract infection.
If your doctor finds that you have a cervical cancer diagnosis, they will need to test the tissue to find out how far the cancer has spread. They may use a pap smear or HPV test to check for abnormal cells on the surface of your cervix. They may also perform a biopsy on the tissue to examine it closely for signs of cancer. During a biopsy, your doctor removes a small amount of tissue from the cervix. A sample of the tissue is then sent to a lab for further examination. Doctors can also use a procedure called LEEP or cold knife conization to remove precancerous tissue from your cervix. They can also take a cone biopsy to examine glandular tissue in the cervix for signs of cancer.
If your doctor discovers that you have cervical cancer at an early stage, your chances of surviving are good. You’ll probably have surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Chemotherapy is a drug that kills cancer cells and stops them from growing or spreading. It’s usually given in cycles, with breaks between each treatment. You might also receive a drug that helps prevent or delay the growth of new blood vessels that feed the cancer, such as bevacizumab (Avastin).
Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that starts in the cervix, which is part of your uterus and connects to your vagina. This type of cancer is usually caused by infections with various strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV. This is a virus that can cause skin warts and genital abnormalities, but it also can lead to other types of cancer in the cervix and other parts of the body. There are two main types of cervical cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma, which forms in the squamous cells that line your cervix; and Adenocarcinoma, which forms in the glandular cells that make mucus. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are linked to HPV, and most people get it from sexual activity.
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are pain or pressure in the vulva and problems with your vaginal bleeding. If you have these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away. She will do a pelvic exam and may order blood tests to check for cancerous cells. She will likely recommend you receive a Pap test, which is a preventive screening that looks for pre cancerous cells and can help stop them from becoming cervical cancer.
During the Pap test, your doctor will look at your cervix and remove a sample of tissue from the cervix to check for changes. A Pap test is usually painless, and it can be done with a swab or with a small device called a colposcope.
If the Pap test finds pre cancerous cells, your doctor will treat them to reduce their chance of turning into cervical cancer. You might have a procedure called a LEEP or cone biopsy to remove the cells. This is usually done with a local anesthetic, and you will be able to go home soon after the procedure.
If the pap test and other tests show cancerous cells, you might have surgery to remove the cells from your cervix. You might also have radiation or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells throughout your body. You might get chemo in cycles, taking the drug for a short period of time and then having a break to let your body recover. You might also take a drug that blocks the growth of new blood vessels that help cancerous cells grow.
Cervical cancer treatment depends on the stage of your cancer and other factors, such as your age and general health. It also may depend on whether you want to have children in the future.
Your doctor uses a special tool to remove precancerous cells from the surface of your cervix. You might have this done if you have abnormal cells on your Pap smear test.
Endocervical curettage (ECC) is a minor diagnostic procedure that is done in your doctor’s office. It involves inserting an instrument, smaller than a pencil, into your cervix and collecting tissue to send to the laboratory for analysis. The tissue is then checked under a microscope for abnormal cells, such as precancerous or cancerous ones. This test is often performed alongside a colposcopy. It helps doctors to find and collect cells that might not be visible or detectable in a Pap smear. This test can help prevent the progression of cervical cancer by identifying precancerous conditions early.
During an ECC, you will lie on your back with your feet raised and placed on foot rests for support. A speculum will be used to hold apart the vaginal walls and allow your doctor to see your cervix more clearly. You may experience mild cramping similar to menstrual pain during this procedure. The tissue sample that is collected can reveal if you have any abnormal cells in your cervix, which can then be treated with cryotherapy or LEEP. This treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing in the future, so it is very important to get this test regularly.
If the results show that you have high-grade squamous lesions (CIN) 2 or 3, they have a higher risk of developing into cervical cancer over time. This is because these cells can change to become more serious over time. CIN 3 requires further evaluation and treatment, such as a biopsy. This procedure can also be used to determine if a woman has HPV infection, which can cause cancer in the cervix.
To perform an endocervical curettage, your doctor will use a speculum to open the opening into your uterus and then insert a thin tool-either a curette or a brush-into the cervix. The curette is a spoon-shaped instrument that will scrape the inside of the cervix to collect a small piece of the lining. The procedure can be painful, and you may experience light spotting or bleeding afterward. A sedative may be given before the procedure to help you relax. You should avoid sexual activity for a day or two before the procedure. It’s also best to have a ride home afterward because you will be under anesthesia.
A loop electrosurgical excision procedure, also known as a LEEP, is an outpatient cervical biopsy and treatment procedure. It uses a thin wire loop heated by electricity to remove abnormal tissue or cells from the cervix. It is performed when a Pap smear or colposcope find areas of the cervix with precancerous cell changes (dysplasia), which can progress to cervical cancer if not treated.
A gynecologist usually recommends the procedure when a woman has an abnormal Pap test or pelvic exam. This is because a gynecologist can only see the cervix from within the vagina. To be able to see the area more clearly, a gynecologist may use a tool called a speculum. This is a small tube that a gynecologist inserts into the opening of your vagina to spread the walls apart and expose the cervix.
The gynecologist then applies numbing medicine to the area around the cervix and inserts the loop. The doctor then uses the loop to remove the abnormal cells and seals the blood vessels in the area to prevent bleeding. The cells are then sent to a lab for testing. The procedure is very quick and takes only about 20-30 minutes. Most people don’t feel any pain during the procedure because of the numbing medicines used.
After the sample is sent to a laboratory for evaluation, a pathologist will examine it to see whether the cells are precancerous or cancerous. If the lab confirms that the cells are cancerous, a gynecologist will recommend more tests, procedures or follow-up care. The doctor will also decide on a treatment plan.
In most cases, a LEEP is effective in removing the abnormal cells that lead to cervical dysplasia. The procedure also works well in treating existing cervical cancer, particularly if it is caught early. It is also helpful for women who have a high risk of developing cervical cancer because of a history of HPV infection.
A gynecologist can also perform a LEEP to treat other types of abnormalities in the cervix. For example, a LEEP can be used to remove cervical cysts and polyps. In most cases, a woman will return to her normal routine about a week after the procedure. However, it’s important to tell your gynecologist about any side effects that you may have.
A cone biopsy is a procedure that removes a small, cone-shaped piece of tissue from your cervix. It’s done either with a thin wire loop heated by electrical current (Loop electrosurgical excision procedure) or a scalpel (Cold knife cone biopsy). The sample is then checked under a microscope for cancer cells. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your options if you’re thinking about having a cone biopsy. The risks and benefits vary from person to person.
Recovery from a cone biopsy can take several weeks. You may have some pain, especially during the first few days. You can take a pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with the pain. You should also avoid activities that might make you bleed. For example, it’s best not to lift heavy loads or do strenuous exercise. It’s also important to stay hydrated. It’s a good idea to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
After a cone biopsy, you’ll probably need to wear sanitary pads for two to three weeks. You should use a pad with a plastic liner for comfort. You’ll also have bloody discharge, which is normal. This bleeding is caused by a soft scab that forms on the cervix and bleeds while it heals. Bleeding can be heavier than your usual period and can last for up to four weeks.
If the biopsy shows that you have precancerous or cancerous cells, your doctor will decide what further action to take. They may suggest a hysterectomy, which removes your uterus and cervix. They can also recommend a less invasive surgery to remove the abnormal cells and encourage healthy tissue to grow back.
If you choose to have a hysterectomy, your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to check that the cervix has healed well and to discuss your results. You’ll also need to have Pap tests and human papilloma virus (HPV) test regularly. You’ll need to be careful about having sex until you’re sure the cervix has healed completely. Until then, you should only have sex with a partner who has had the procedure done.
Cervical cancer starts in cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). It usually grows slowly over many years. Before actual cancer appears, the cells go through changes called dysplasia. These changes may develop into precancers if they are not destroyed or removed with treatment. A Pap test or HPV test can find these abnormal cells. The doctor may then do a biopsy to find out whether these precancers are cancer.
The next step is to determine how far the cancer has spread, which is known as the stage. This information helps doctors plan your treatment. The stage of the cervical cancer affects how well it responds to treatment. It also affects your chances of having a cure.
Your doctor will check your health history and do a pelvic exam and an X-ray of your cervix. Then they will do more diagnostic tests to find out if you have cervical cancer and how far it has spread. These tests include blood and urine tests, an X-ray of your lungs and pelvis and an ultrasound of your cervix.
If the cancer is in its early stages and you are still having menstrual periods, your doctor will recommend a pelvic surgery to remove your cervix. This surgery is called a hysterectomy. It can be done on an outpatient basis. You will have a general or spinal anaesthetic and you will have gauze padding put in your vagina.
A hysterectomy can have long-term effects on your fertility. If you are not planning to have children, your doctor may suggest that you consider a less invasive surgical option called a cone biopsy, in which they will remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue with a margin of healthy tissue.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses medicine to help your body’s natural defenses kill cancer cells. It is sometimes given after a patient’s chemotherapy or radiation treatments. It can improve the quality of life for some people with advanced cervical cancer. It is being studied in clinical trials to see if it works better than standard therapies for cervical cancer that has spread.
