Cervical cancer is a female reproductive cancer that will affect an estimated 11,270 women in the United States in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society. Cervical cancer is often detected during a routine pap smear, a test that detects abnormal cells. Treatment options for cervical cancer depend on the stage of the disease.
Identification
The cervix, located at the bottom of the uterus, serves as a connection between the uterus and the vagina. When a baby is born, the cervix gradually dilates to allow passage of the baby from the uterus through the vaginal canal. According to the National Cancer Institute, when cervical cancer develops, it starts slowly and may first appear as abnormal cells. Eventually, cancer cells begin to grow in the cervix, penetrating deep into the tissue.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Women who have cervical cancer often show no symptoms of the disease, particularly in the early stages. Those who do have symptoms may notice pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area, vaginal bleeding, pain during sex or an unusual discharge. A pap smear is used to test for cervical cancer. During a pap smear, a small brush or cotton swab is used to scrape cells from the vagina and cervix for testing. If abnormal cells are found, your doctor may want to do a repeat pap smear to confirm the findings or may examine your cervix more closely with a colposcope, a special instrument that provides a magnified image of the cervix. During the colposcopy, cells can be collected for further examination and determination of your diagnosis. A biopsy performed under general anesthesia may also be needed if your doctor wants to examine cells deep within the cervix.
Surgery
Several types of surgery are used to remove cervical cancer. During laser surgery, a laser beam is aimed at the abnormal cells and destroys the cells by burning them. Laser surgery is commonly used to treat preinvasive cancer, as is cryosurgery. During cyrosurgery, abnormal cells are frozen and killed using a special probe treated with liquid nitrogen. Conization is used to remove a cone-shaped section of the cervix in early stage cervical cancer. After the cone is removed it is biopsied. If cancer cells are found in the edges of the cone, additional treatment may be needed. In cases of more advanced cancer a hysterectomy may be used to surgically remove the cervix and uterus. Women who would still like to have children may be able to have a trachelectomy. During this procedure, the upper part of the vagina and the cervix are removed and a special stitch is placed in the cervix to form an artificial opening.
Radiation Therapy
During radiation therapy, high dose X-rays are aimed at the cervical area, killing cancer cells. Radiation therapy is available in external and internal forms. External beam radiation therapy is completed in 6 to 7 weeks and may be accompanied by chemotherapy. Brachytherapy is the internal form of radiation therapy conducted by inserting radioactive material into the vagina in a cylinder or through needles inserted into the cancerous cells. Side effects of radiation therapy may include nausea, fatigue, loose bowels, vomiting and skin that appears to be sunburned. In some cases, scar tissue causes a narrowing of the vagina. Having sex or stretching the vaginal walls 3 or 4 times each week with a dilator can help resolve this problem.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs that target and kill cancer cells. These drugs are taken by mouth or are injected into the veins. Chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with radiation therapy or surgery to improve the effectiveness of these treatments. Side effects of chemotherapy may include hair loss, vomiting, nausea, increased risk of developing infections and illnesses, fatigue, sores in the mouth or loss of appetite.
Tags: abnormal cells, cancer cells, cervical cancer, radiation therapy, cancer During, cancer often
