Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer
ICD-10	C53
ICD-9	180
DiseasesDB	2278
MedlinePlus	000893
eMedicine	med 324
MeSH ID	D002583

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer. When exposed to HPV, a woman's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. However, in a small group of women, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Causes and Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. While most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women. Other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Having a weakened immune system
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives
• Having multiple full-term pregnancies
• Being younger than 17 at your first full-term pregnancy

Symptoms

Early stages of cervical cancer typically cause no symptoms. As the cancer progresses, the following symptoms may appear:

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Screening and Diagnosis

Screening for cervical cancer is done through Pap tests and HPV testing. These tests can identify precancerous changes in the cervix that might develop into cancer. Diagnosis is confirmed through a biopsy, where a small section of tissue is taken from the cervix and examined under a microscope.

Treatment

Treatment for cervical cancer depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, overall health, and personal preferences. Options typically include:

• Surgery, such as a hysterectomy
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• HPV vaccination
• Regular cervical screening
• Practicing safe sex
• Avoiding smoking

Epidemiology

Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. However, the cervical cancer death rate has significantly declined due to the increased use of the Pap test. This trend is seen in other developed countries but remains a problem in developing countries, where screening tests are less available.

See Also

• Oncology
• Gynecology
• Cancer prevention