Cervical Cancer

       

 

Cancer of the cervix occurs in the cells lining the lower part of the uterus.  A condition known as Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN occurs when normal cervical cells transform into precancerous cells. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia may then progress to squamous intraepithelial lesion (or SIL) the condition that precedes cervical cancer.

Smoking, age and race are all factors that contribute to cervical cancer.  For instance smokers have twice the likelihood of developing cervical cancer than nonsmokers.

Symptoms - The common symptoms of cervical cancer are:

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Bleeding

  • Painful intercourse and urination

  • and lower back pain

Diagnosis - A doctor may use what is know as a PAP smear (Papanicolaou Test) where cells are removed using a cotton swab or other instrument.  The cells are then "smeared" onto a glass slide and then sent to a laboratory for testing.  The test should only be performed two weeks following the end of the menstrual cycle.  The patient should also wait at least 48 hours after having sexual intercourse before having the test done.

Treatment - Cervical cancer is treated differently depending on what stage it is currently at.  For instance at the early CIN stage the doctor may use a cone biopsy or loop electrode incision (wire loops heated with an electric current).

More advance forms of cervical cancer are treated using the conventional methods of radiation, chemotherapy and and surgery.  Later stages of the disease may require the total removal of the uterus (hysterectomy).

Search Diagnosing Cancer.com

 

 

Bladder Cancer

Bone Cancers

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer (Male)

Cancer of the Esophagus

Cancer of the Pancreas

Cancers of the Colon, Rectum and Anus

Cancers of the Larynx, Hypopharynx, and Oropharynx

 

Carcinoid Tumors

Cervical Cancer

Children's Cancer

Endocrine Malignancies

Endometrial (Uterus) Cancer

Ewing's Sarcoma

Eye Cancer

Gastrointestinal System Cancers

Genitourinary (Male) Cancers

Gestational Trophoblastic Cancer

Gynecological Cancers

Haematological Malignancies

 

 

Head and Neck Cancers

Kidney Cancer

Leukemia

Liver Cancer

Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma

Multiple Myeloma

Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Neuroblastoma

Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Osteosarcoma

Other Cancers

 

Ovarian Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Penile Cancer

Retinoblastoma

Skin Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Thyroid Cancer

Urinary System Cancers

Vaginal Cancer

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

Wilms' Tumour