What is the cervix?
The cervix is the lower part of the womb or uterus and usually, it is known as 'cervix'. We can say that is the inlet to the cavity of the uterus.
Your role is important in maintaining a pregnancy normally. In nonpregnant women, the cervix has not characterized function, but may also be important for the sexual enjoyment in some women.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is one of the most common female cancers.
The World Health Organization recommends that all women of childbearing
age spend gynecological check at least once every two years, in order
to prevent this and other gynecological diseases. Therefore, most of Western women are regularly subjected to a test cervical sample making, more commonly known as cytology , also called Pap test, which is used to detect cellular changes that precede cancer.
Importantly, this test can provide information on lesions of the
cervix, without being cancer may eventually lead to him, why it is so
valuable for the prevention and early diagnosis of this disease in even
healthy women.
These cervical lesions usually early cellular changes that take years
to develop into cancer and, in some cases, may disappear on their own.
The majority of abnormal cervical tests do not correspond to a clear
diagnosis of cancer, but warn of the distinct possibility that tissue
may degenerate to that point in coming years. One of these possible precancerous changes is what is known as CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). If the CIN is allowed to progress without treatment, almost always leads to cervical cancer.
The two most common types of cervical cancer are squamous cell cancer (also called epidermoid) carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The most common is the first, squamous.
What causes cervical cancer?
There is no single definite cause in most cases. In most, the previous history of viral infection of the cervix, which often occurs is the virus human papillomavirus or herpes genital single, also called type II Herpes (not to be confused with cold sores , also called Herpes Simplex Type I) . In most cases, these infections are unnoticed by the woman and acquired in young age, usually due to normal sexual activity.
Therefore, it is clearly shown that cervical cancer is more common in
women with more sexual relations or a beginning of these relations at an
earlier age. Cigarette smoking also appears to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer can affect all age groups, usually appearing after 30 years at initial stages.
One of the ways that women reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer is tested for cervical sampling regularly.
Generally, once it has started sexual activity is highly desirable for
all women to adequate undergo gynecological examination every 1-3 years,
varying the time interval depending on your age, risk factors, etc.
The HPV vaccine
In Spain, as some time ago throughout the EC, it is already approved the new vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). It is expected to soon be included in the recommended immunization schedule. Read about it here .
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Precancerous changes of the cervix (CIN) have no symptoms, so it is important to conduct regular Pap smears.
When there is already a cervical cancer, often even no symptoms, but
more often than women experience small amounts of bleeding between periods , if not menopausal , or after intercourse. In menopausal women, it may happen that there is again apparent menstruation.
Other symptoms that may occur include: vaginal blood flow, and in
advanced cases, pain, bleeding from the anus and urinary discomfort.
How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
Safety diagnosis is performed through a biopsy of the cervix. It is usually done after an examination and an internal vaginal exam called colposcopy background. A biopsy is trying to take a sample that a study of diseased tissue under a microscope.
How is cervical cancer treated?
When it comes to the diagnosis of cervical cancer, doctors should
discuss among the different treatment options, as this depends on
whether the cancer has spread to affect other tissues of the pelvis, or
if it only affects the cervix. The cure rates of cervical cancer depend on whether it has spread beyond the cervix or not, basically. Therefore, as we have mentioned, early diagnosis is crucial. If detected in the early stages, the cure rates of this disease can reach up to 95% -100%. The most effective treatment is performed with surgery and / or radiotherapy .
Treatment may include one type of hysterectomy
(removal of the uterus) called radical or Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomy,
in which the surgeon removes the entire uterus and ovaries.
Radiation therapy is often part of the treatment, and its objective is
to destroy the few cancer cells that the gynecologist can not see, and
that may have been in the area of surgery. Sometimes, it can also be applied as only curative treatment, without resorting to surgery.
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