Cervical cancer is commonly known in today’s society as the type of cancer that is caused by a virus. Cervical Cancer is very common in women worldwide and is the third most common malignancy in women. It is a disease that affects women in both the developing world as well as in developed countries. While the rate of HPV cervical cancer has diminished in the United States over the past several years, likely due to the utilization of the HPV vaccine, it is still a preventable malignancy that affects many women. Pathophysiology: There are two major types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The most common type of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas develop from squamous cells, which are thin in nature and line the outer portion of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma, on the other hand, is a glandular form of cancer that develops from columnar cells that line the canal of the cervix. The majority of cases of cervical cancers are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus occurs in nearly all women who are sexually active but is usually self-limiting. It is only in a few percent of the patient population exposed to this virus that cervical cancer will develop.

Treatment of Cervical Cancer: An individualized treatment plan must be developed based on one’s own medical history and staging of cancer. Most interventions include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Stage 0 cancer is treated with either cryosurgery, laser ablation or loop excision. In early stages of cancer, mainly Stage I, surgery is the standard of care. Hysterectomy can actually be the cure of early Stage I cervical cancer, as well as prevent recurrence. Discuss with your physician if you require a Simple Hysterectomy or a Radical Hysterectomy. Radiation therapy may be indicated in Stage I cervical cancer. It will be based on medical history and personal evaluation by your physician. For Stages IA2, IB or IIA cervical cancer there are two treatment options available: combined external beam radiation with brachytherapy and radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. For Stage IIB, III or IVA, the recommended therapy is external beam radiation to decrease tumor size, and then brachytherapy. Research and clinical studies have shown that combination chemotherapy has dramatically improved patient’s’ chances of survival. For Stage IVB and recurrent cancer, individualized therapy and palliative therapy will be recommended based on the individual case. Prognosis of Cervical Cancer: The prognosis of patients with cervical cancer is based on 5-year survival rates.

It is imperative to be proactive and be evaluated by an OB/Gyn on a yearly basis, so that appropriate testing for cervical cancer can be performed. This is because early symptoms associated with cervical cancer are usually minimal to none. Signs and symptoms that may occur later in the disease include: Post-coital vaginal bleeding Vaginal bleeding after menopause Vaginal bleeding between periods Bloody vaginal discharge with a foul odor Increased heavy vaginal bleeding Pelvic pain Dyspareunia (pain during sex) Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer: There are risk factors that increase one’s potential for developing HPV infections and thus cervical cancer. Hispanic women are at the highest risk of development of cervical cancer as compared to women of other races. Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest risk of developing cervical cancer as compared to other women. Women who have multiple sexual partners and/or begin having sex at a young age face increased risk of developing HPV infections. Being infected with other STIs can also increase the chance of being infected with HPV. Being immunocompromised, or being a smoker, are also risk factors that can contribute to increased risk of HPV contraction.

Early diagnosis of cervical cancer is imperative for better prognosis. Because the early stages of cervical cancer are not associated with signs/symptoms, it is imperative that screening tests be used to catch early stages of cervical cancer. Women should begin screening for HPV infection and cervical cancer when they are 21 years of age. This age may vary depending on the patient’s risk factors, including their number of sexual partners and the age at which they began having sex. The first screening test is the Pap smear. The pap smear is when the OB/GYN physician uses a speculum to visualize the cervix and then uses a medical instrument to brush or scrape some of the cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to the laboratory and evaluated for any abnormalities. The pap smear will check for cancerous cells of the cervix. The next test is the HPV DNA test. This test checks for the actual HPV virus. The cells collected from the cervix will be evaluated for the HPV DNA. This test is done in women greater than the age of 30 or in patients who currently have, or who have a previous history of, an abnormal pap smear.

Cervical cancer is commonly known in today’s society as the type of cancer that is caused by a virus. Cervical Cancer is very common in women worldwide and is the third most common malignancy in women. It is a disease that affects women in both the developing world as well as in developed countries. While the rate of HPV cervical cancer has diminished in the United States over the past several years, likely due to the utilization of the HPV vaccine, it is still a preventable malignancy that affects many women. Pathophysiology: There are two major types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The most common type of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas develop from squamous cells, which are thin in nature and line the outer portion of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma, on the other hand, is a glandular form of cancer that develops from columnar cells that line the canal of the cervix. The majority of cases of cervical cancers are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus occurs in nearly all women who are sexually active but is usually self-limiting. It is only in a few percent of the patient population exposed to this virus that cervical cancer will develop.