Article

Introduction

Changes that occur in the cells of the entrance of the womb, cervix- hollow cylinder with a narrow tube that connects uterus to vagina.

It often spreads to the other parts like:

Rectum, Vagina, Lungs, Bladder, Liver

 

Symptoms

Early stage has no symptoms.

Vaginal bleeding: Durning intercourse, Between periods, After menopause

Vaginal discharge; Watery and bloody that may be heavy with a foul odor, Pelvic pain, Pain during intercourse, Trouble peeing, Swollen leg, Kidney failure, Bone pain, Weight loss and loss of appetite, Fatigue

 

Causes and Risk Factors

HPV (human papillomavirus infection) type 16 and 18, Smoking, Oral contraceptives, Multiple pregnancies, Genital warts, Having many sex partner or partner with a lot of partners.

Having sex before 16, Sex on the same year as of period, Intake of birth control pills for more than 5 years, Weakened immune system, STD, Socio economic factors.

 

Stages

 

Early Stage includes 1A, 1B, and 2A

 

  • 1A1: Cancerous area less than 3 mm in depth
  • 1A2: Cancerous area less than 5 mm in depth
  • 1B1: Only confined to cervix, 5 mm or more in depth and 2 cm in width
  • 1B2: 2 cm or more in depth and less than 4 cm in width
  • 1B3: 4cm or more in width
  • 2A1: Less than 4 cm in width
  • 2A2: 4 cm or more in width

Local Stage includes 2B, 3, and 4A

 

  • 2B: Tumor has spread to parametrical area but not to pelvic wall
  • 3A: Lower third region of the vagina
  • 3B: Grown to a pelvic wall, may or may not affect the kidneys
  • 4A: Grown to rectum, bladder, and outside pelvic

Advanced Stage includes 4B

 

  • 4B: Tumor has spread to other parts

Treatment, Estimated Numbers, and Death Rate 

 Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy are the treatments used to treat cervical cancer. Its affects are mainly on women who are sexually active between age 30 and 45. An estimate of 5601 women are diagnosed every year and 3861 die from cervical cancer in Pakistan. Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in Southeast Asia between age 15 and 44.