Cervical cancer is mainly caused by infection with the HPV virus, but it can also occur in women who have not been infected by the virus and who are over 45 years old, smoke and use contraceptive pills for a long time.
Symptoms of cervical cancer, also called cervical cancer, causes symptoms in more advanced stages of the disease, such as vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period or after sexual intercourse, foul-smelling discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, abdominal pain and feeling of pressure in the lower part of the belly.
When identified in the early stages, cervical cancer can be treated and curable. Therefore, it is important to regularly consult a gynecologist, to carry out tests such as pap smears and colposcopy, for example, which facilitate the early identification of changes suggestive of cancer.
Cervical cancer symptoms
The main symptoms of cervical cancer are:
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period;
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse;
- Bad-smelling or dark-colored discharge;
- Abdominal or pelvic pain, which may worsen when urinating or having a bowel movement;
- Pain during sexual intercourse;
- Sensation of pressure in the lower part of the belly;
- Urge to urinate more frequently, even at night;
- Rapid weight loss for no apparent reason.
Furthermore, in some cases the person may also experience excessive tiredness, pain and swelling in the legs, involuntary loss of urine or feces.
The symptoms of cervical cancer are more common when the disease is more advanced, so it is essential that the gynecologist is consulted as soon as the first signs and symptoms appear.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of cervical cancer is made by a gynecologist through a pelvic examination and evaluation of the person’s family and health history. During the gynecological consultation, a vaginal examination and assessment of the vagina and cervix may be performed.
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In addition, the doctor also recommends a Pap smear, also known as a preventive exam, and a colposcopy exam, as this allows the cervix to be assessed in more detail.
If changes are identified, the doctor may request a cervical biopsy, an examination in which a small piece of tissue from the cervix is collected to be analyzed in the laboratory. See how a cervical biopsy is performed.
Cervical cancer stages
According to the development of the tumor, it is possible to classify the disease into several stages:
- Stage 1: at this stage, the tumor is located only in the uterus;
- Stage 2: the tumor is found inside and outside the uterus, but does not reach the pelvic wall or the lower third of the vagina;
- Stage 3: tumor that extends to the pelvic wall, affects the lower part of the vagina, or causes changes in the kidneys;
- Stage 4: Tumor that invades the mucosa of the bladder or anus or and/or extends beyond the pelvis.
It is important to check the stage of cervical cancer so that the doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment to combat the cancer and prevent the disease from progressing and the occurrence of metastases, which is when cancer cells detach from the tumor and pass into the bloodstream, affecting other organs.
Possible causes
The main cause of cervical cancer is infection with the HPV virus, which is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse, with or without penetration. Learn more about HPV.
Furthermore, some risk factors that may also contribute to the development of cervical cancer are:
- Start sexual activity early;
- Having multiple sexual partners;
- Smoke;
- Using birth control pills for a long time;
- Be over 45 years old;
- Getting pregnant before the age of 17 or giving birth to several children.
Furthermore, women who have other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, herpes or gonorrhea, also have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for cervical cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease, the size of the tumor, whether there are metastases of the disease, the age and the woman’s general health.
1. Conization
Conization consists of removing a small, cone-shaped part of the cervix. Although it is a technique most used to perform a biopsy and confirm the diagnosis of cancer, conization can also be considered a form of standard treatment in cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, which is not yet considered cancer, but which can progress to cancer. See how conization is done.
2. Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the main type of surgery to treat cervical cancer, and can be used in the early or more advanced stages of the disease, including:
- Histerectomia total: removes only the uterus and cervix and can be done through a cut in the abdomen, laparoscopy or through the vaginal canal;
- Histerectomia radical: In addition to the uterus and cervix, the upper part of the vagina and nearby tissues, which may be affected by cancer, are also removed.
It is important to remember that in both types of hysterectomy the ovaries and tubes are only removed if they have also been affected by cancer. See the types of hysterectomy and care after surgery.
3. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Radiotherapy is a treatment that can be indicated before, during or after treatment with surgery or chemotherapy, where radiation is applied directly to the tumor.
Chemotherapy is a procedure in which medications are administered orally or injected to eliminate or prevent the growth of cancer cells.
4. Traquelectomia
Trachelectomy is a type of surgery that removes only the cervix and the upper third of the vagina, leaving the body of the uterus intact, which allows the woman to become pregnant after treatment, if desired.
Typically, this surgery is used in cases of cervical cancer that are detected at an early stage and have not yet affected other structures.
5. Pelvic exenteration
Pelvic exenteration is a more extensive surgery that may be indicated in cases where the cancer returns and affects other regions. In this surgery, the uterus, cervix, pelvic lymph nodes are removed, and it may also be necessary to remove other organs such as ovaries, tubes, vagina, bladder and part of the end of the intestine.
How to prevent cervical cancer
The main way to prevent cervical cancer is through the HPV vaccine, which can be found in health centers and private clinics. Understand how and when to get the HPV vaccine.
Furthermore, it is also important to use condoms during all sexual relations and consult your gynecologist regularly.
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