Cervical cancer refers to cancer located in the lower part of the uterus, called the cervix or the uterine cervix. The cervix connects the upper part of the uterus, where the fetus grows and develops, to the birth canal. There are two parts of the cervix: the exocervix (the part of the cervix located closest to the vagina) and the endocervix (the part of the cervix located closest to the uterus). The two parts of the cervix are connected by the "transformation zone." Most cervical cancers originate within this "transformation zone."
Cervical cancer is typically a slow-growing cancer that takes a long time to develop. Because there are no symptoms, cervical cancers are diagnosed by the appearance of unusual cells under a microscope. Precancerous cell changes that can lead to cancer generally have no and often go away without treatment. When the precancerous cells develop into a tumor, the cancer is still largely asymptomatic and has relatively few side effects. However, the cancer treatment may have side effects, and as the cancer progresses, side effects may begin to develop.
Symptoms/Side Effects
Once the cancer grows and becomes invasive, (i.e., extends into tissue surrounding the cervix), its side effects may include unusual vaginal discharge; abnormal bleeding (bleeding after menopause, in between periods, or during sex); pain during sex; urinary problems; pelvic pain; back pain; leg pain; weight loss; bleeding from the bladder; bleeding from the rectum; anemia due to abnormal vaginal, bladder or rectal bleeding; and/or weight loss.
By the time cervical cancer begins to produce side effects or symptoms, it is generally relatively advanced and difficult to treat. Because of the lack of early symptoms, regular pap smears are essential. The precancerous cell changes that ultimately lead to cervical cancer can be identified by Pap tests and treated before the cancer progresses.
HPV Side Effects
Because HPV can cause cervical cancer, understanding HPV can help you to prevent HPV. Unfortunately, like early-stage cervical cancer itself, HPV generally has no side effects or symptoms. HPV can be transmitted by genital contact; no sex is required. It can remain dormant within the body for several years, so it is possible a person may have HPV and not know it. Both men and women can get HPV and transmit the virus to anyone with whom they have genital contact.
Because HPV has no side effects, it is diagnosed via an HPV test. Generally, HPV tests are performed simultaneously with Pap smears, although not all health-care professionals test for HPV regularly.
In many healthy women, HPV disappears on its own, without treatment.
Side Effects of Late-Stage Cancer
Stage IV, or final-stage, cervical cancer is very advanced cervical cancer. At this stage, the cancer can have side effects, because it metastasizes or spreads to other organs in the lower abdomen. When the cancer spreads to these other organs, connections can occur between the vagina, rectum and bladder, causing urine and feces to come out of the vagina. If the cancer spreads to the vagina, heavy vaginal bleeding can occur, and if the cancer impacts the nervous system, the woman may feel terrible pain. The cancer might also spread to the uterers (the tubes that transport urine from the kidney to the bladder), causing colic pain. Typically, death results when the cancer blocks both ureters, causing kidney failure.
Treatment and Side Effects
When cervical cancer is developed early, it can generally be treated with relatively few side effects. Early treatment typically involves removal of precancerous cells using a metal loop inserted into the cervix, which heats the tissue and removes the cancerous cells. Laser vaporization or freezing of the cancerous cells may also be an option. Typically, these treatments cause no lasting side effects, the cervix remains intact, and the woman's fertility remains unaffected.
More advanced cervical cancer, characterized by a larger growth of cancerous cells, is treated by the removal of a conical piece of tissue. This treatment can have the unfortunate side effect of reducing the possibility of a successful pregnancy.
The most radical treatment typically involves removal of the uterus, the surrounding lymph nodes and the tissue surrounding the uterus. This procedure results in infertility, as well as potential problems with passing urine and possible sexual problems. However, if the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes, patients who have this surgery generally have a 90 percent chance of recovery. If there is lymph node involvement, the chance of recovery drops to approximately 50 to 60 percent.
For late-stage cervical cancer, radiotherapy is the only treatment with any chance of success at extending survival. However, the chances of surviving late-stage cervical cancer are approximately 30 percent. The side effects of radiotherapy include infertility, early menopause, and bladder, bowel and vaginal problems.
Prevention
Because there are no side effects or symptoms of early cervical cancer, prevention and preventative care is key to protecting yourself from this disease. Women should avoid exposure to HPV by minimizing high-risk sexual behavior and using condoms. It is also possible to be vaccinated for HPV.
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