Cervical cancer originates in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that connects to the vagina (birth canal). This type of cancer typically develops gradually over time. Before cervical cancer appears, the cells in the cervix undergo changes called dysplasia, where abnormal cells start to appear in the cervical tissue. If these abnormal cells are not destroyed or removed, they may eventually become cancerous and begin to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and nearby areas.
The cervix consists
of two main parts:
●
Ectocervix (Exocervix): The outer portion of the cervix, visible
during a gynecologic exam, covered with thin, flat squamous cells.
●
Endocervix: The inner portion of the cervix forming a canal that
connects the vagina to the uterus, lined with column-shaped glandular cells
that produce mucus.
The squamocolumnar junction (transformation
zone) is the border where the endocervix and ectocervix meet, and it is the
area where most cervical cancers originate.
Cervical cancers are
classified based on the type of cell where the cancer originates. The two main
types are:
●
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The most common type, accounting for up
to 90% of cervical cancers, developing from cells in the ectocervix.
●
Adenocarcinoma: These cancers develop in the glandular cells of the
endocervix. A rare subtype is clear cell adenocarcinoma, also known as clear
cell carcinoma or mesonephroma.
In some cases,
cervical cancer exhibits characteristics of both squamous cell carcinoma and
adenocarcinoma, known as mixed carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. Very
rarely, cancer may develop in other types of cells within the cervix.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is often hard to detect early on because it usually doesn't cause symptoms until it has spread. When early-stage cervical cancer does cause symptoms, they may include:
- Vaginal bleeding
after sex
- Vaginal bleeding
after menopause
- Vaginal bleeding
between periods or unusually heavy or long periods
- Watery vaginal
discharge with a strong odor or containing blood
- Pelvic pain or pain during sex
Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer, which has spread beyond the cervix, may include the early-stage symptoms plus:
- Difficult or
painful bowel movements or rectal bleeding during bowel movements
- Difficult or
painful urination or blood in the urine
- Dull backache
- Swelling of the
legs
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
These symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer. Seeing a health professional is the only way to determine the cause. Ignoring symptoms can delay treatment and reduce its effectiveness if it is cervical cancer.
Causes:
●
HPV Infection and Cervical
Cancer- Persistent
infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary
cause of nearly all cervical cancers. Specifically, two high-risk types, HPV 16
and HPV 18, are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers worldwide.
A weakened immune
system can reduce the body's ability to fight an HPV infection, making it more
likely for the infection to persist and progress to cancer. Individuals who are
immunocompromised are at a higher risk compared to those with a healthy immune system.
You may be immunocompromised if you:
●
Have
an HIV infection or another disease that weakens your immune system
●
Take
medication that suppresses your immune response, such as drugs to prevent organ
rejection after a transplant, treat an autoimmune disease, or manage cancer.
● Reproductive Factors: The use
of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and having multiple children are
linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, though the reasons for these
associations are not well understood.
● Obesity: Cervical cancer screening can be more challenging in individuals with obesity, resulting in lower detection rates of precancers and a higher risk of developing cancer.
Treatment:
There are different
types of treatments available for cervical cancer.
●
Surgery
● Radiation therapy
● Chemotherapy
● Targeted
therapy
● Immunotherapy
Surgery: Surgery, or an operation, is sometimes
used to treat cervical cancer, with the type of surgery depending on the
cancer's location.
○ Total Vaginal Hysterectomy: Removal through the vagina.
○ Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: Removal
through a large abdominal incision.
○ Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Removal
through small abdominal incisions, usually via the vagina but sometimes through
an abdominal incision.
○ A radical hysterectomy removes the
uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, and surrounding ligaments and tissues. The
ovaries, fallopian tubes, or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.
○
A modified
radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina,
and closely surrounding ligaments and tissues, removing fewer tissues than a
radical hysterectomy. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, or nearby lymph nodes may
also be removed.
4. Radical
Trachelectomy: This surgery removes the cervix, nearby tissue, and upper part of the
vagina. Lymph nodes may also be removed. The uterus is then attached to the
remaining vagina with a cerclage to maintain closure during pregnancy, allowing
the possibility of future pregnancies.
5.
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: This procedure removes both ovaries and fallopian
tubes, typically when cancer has spread to these organs.
6. Total
Pelvic Exenteration: This extensive surgery removes the lower colon, rectum,
bladder, cervix, vagina, ovaries, and nearby lymph nodes. Stomas are created
for urine and stool to exit into collection bags. Plastic surgery may be
required to construct an artificial vagina.
Prevention:
Cervical cancer is highly preventable and curable if detected early. Most cases can be avoided through HPV vaccination, regular cervical cancer screenings, and timely follow-up treatments.