Cervical Cancer Facts

Cervical cancer or cancer of the cervix (the opening of the uterus) affects approximately 400,000 women worldwide each year. An estimated 4,600 in the United States die each year from cervical cancer. After breast cancer, it is the most common malignancy found in women.

There are two main types of cancer of the cervix. The most common is called squamous cell carcinoma: this develops from the flat cells which cover the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina. The other type is called adenocarcinoma: this type develops from the glandular cells which line the cervical canal (endocervix).

 

Papallomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV is believed to be the cause of cervical cancer and is present in all cases. Papallomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection.

Cervical cancer develops gradually over time and may take many years to develop. There are often no symptoms until the disease is advanced. When it is detected as a pre cancer condition known as dysplasia it is 100 per cent treatable. Dysplasia can be present and cause no problem but it can often lead to actual cancer. When it has not spread to the blood vessels and other organs it may be stopped with a hysterectomy. Once established, cervical cancer can spread quickly to nearby tissues and organs.

Surgery is usually the first treatment for cancer of the cervix in its early stages (where it is confined to the cervix). In this situation radiotherapy is as effective as surgery but the side effects are greater, and for this reason surgery is usually the chosen treatment.

If the cancer has spread beyond the cervix and is not curable with surgery alone, radiotherapy is usually the preferred treatment and may be given in combination with chemotherapy. In women who are suitable for radiotherapy, but are thought to be at high risk of the cancer coming back, chemotherapy is sometimes given before or during the radiotherapy to try and improve the effectiveness.

Radiotherapy may also be used after surgery (sometimes with chemotherapy) if there is a high risk that the cancer may come back, for example if the lymph glands are affected.

Chemotherapy may sometimes be used before surgery, to shrink the cancer and make the operation easier.

Chemotherapy may also be given to women whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body or whose disease has come back after radiotherapy. It is used in this situation to try to shrink and control the disease and relieve symptoms, with the hope of prolonging good quality life.

Abnormal cells on the cervix can be detected with a pap smear test. Women are encouraged to have regular pap smear tests to pick up early changes and the presence of HPV in the cells of the cervix.

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