What is Cervical Cancer?

The cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus at the point where it meets the vagina, causes cervical cancer. Cervical cancer arises from abnormal changes that occur in the cervical cells, causing them to grow abnormally. In most cases, cervical cancer develops from precancerous changes to invasive cancer through a gradual development process that takes several years. The effective screening methods and vaccination programs that exist today enable doctors to identify cervical cancer at its earliest stage, which prevents most cases of the disease from occurring.

Cervical cancer primarily affects women in midlife, but it can occur at any age in younger and older women. The majority of cases occur due to ongoing infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) high-risk types. The combination of early diagnosis and proper treatment results in better survival rates for patients.

The two main types of cervical cancer include:

• It begins when abnormal cells grow from the surface of the cervix. This is the most common type.
• Adenocarcinoma develops from glandular cells lining the cervical canal.

Some tumors may exhibit characteristics of both cancer types.

What are the Symptoms and Causes of Cervical Cancer?

Causes

Cervical cancer develops when someone experiences persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains over an extended period. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual contact as it is a highly contagious virus. If an individual is exposed to any HPV infection, it will most probably clear without ever causing adverse health impacts. However, some high-risk types of the virus, particularly HPV 16 and HPV 18, can lead to abnormal cell changes in the cervix.

The ongoing infection with HPV will lead to the development of precancerous lesions over time. Invasive cervical cancer will develop from these lesions if they remain untreated.

Symptoms

Early-stage cervical cancer may not display any symptoms that people can observe. The disease progression brings these symptoms:

• Persistent abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs between menstrual cycles after sexual intercourse and after menopause
• Unusual vaginal discharge that appears watery or bloody or emits an unpleasant odor
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Lower back pain

Advanced cases of the condition lead to leg swelling.

In advanced stages, bowel obstruction or, in distressing cases, bladder obstruction with difficulty voiding may occur.

Healthcare providers should evaluate all instances of abnormal bleeding that continue for an extended period.

What are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?

Several risk factors make people more likely to develop cervical cancer:

• Persistent infection with high-risk HPV
• Early onset of sexual activity at a young age
• Having multiple sexual encounters with different partners
• Smoking decreases the body's ability to fight cervical infections.
• Having a compromised immune system because of conditions like HIV infection
• Using oral contraceptives for an extended period
• Having multiple full-term pregnancies
• People who do not undergo regular Pap screening

Medical data suggest that HPV infections do not invariably culminate in cancer. Regular screening helps detect changes before they become dangerous.

How is Cervical Cancer diagnosed and Tested ?

The process of detecting cervical cancer at an early stage helps prevent the development of invasive cervical cancer.

Pap test (Pap Smear)

Cells from the cervix are collected during a Pap test in order to detect abnormal or precancerous alterations. The implementation of regular Pap testing has resulted in a worldwide decrease in cervical cancer cases.

HPV Testing

HPV testing detects high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that are present in the individual. The test becomes mandatory for women aged 30 and older who need a Pap test.

Colposcopy

A colposcopy procedure occurs when abnormal cells become visible. The doctor uses this procedure to inspect the cervix, magnifying it to detect any potential problems.

Biopsy

Colposcopy allows the extraction of tiny tissue samples, which are then examined under a microscope. The biopsy procedure establishes the medical diagnosis.

Imaging Tests

The extent of cancer in the body is determined through imaging tests, which become necessary after establishing a cancer diagnosis. Medical professionals use these imaging methods to study the patient's internal body structure:

• MRI of the pelvis
• CT scan
• PET-CT scan
• Chest imaging

Additional Evaluation

In more advanced cases, procedures such as cystoscopy or proctoscopy may assess involvement of the bladder or rectum.

What are the Stages of Cervical Cancer ?

Staging explains how cancer spreads throughout the human body.

• Stage I: Cancer confined to the cervix.
• Stage II: Cancer extends beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic wall.
• Stage III: Cancer spreads to the pelvic wall or lower third of the vagina.
• Stage IV: Cancer spreads to nearby organs (bladder, rectum) or distant organs.

The medical process of staging establishes which treatment methods will be applied to patients.

What are the management and treatment options for Cervical Cancer?

The treatment plan for a patient depends on their cancer stage, tumor size, and their current health status, age, and their wish to have children in the future.

Surgery

The main course of treatment for patients with cervical cancer in its initial stages is surgery.

The surgical procedures available include the following types:

• The procedure called cone biopsy (conization) removes a small cone-shaped portion of the cervix. Used for very early cancers.
• The surgical procedure called radical trachelectomy removes the cervix while preserving the uterus. This method is appropriate for specific patients who want to keep their ability to bear children.
• Through a simple hysterectomy procedure, the surgeon removes both the uterus and the cervix from the body.
• The surgical procedure known as a radical hysterectomy removes both the uterus and cervix, along with adjacent tissues and a section of the vagina.
• The procedure of pelvic lymph node dissection involves the removal of lymph nodes to determine whether cancer has spread throughout the body.

Patients with early-stage disease who do not have lymph node involvement may require surgery as their only treatment option.

Radiation Therapy

High-energy beams are useful in radiation therapy to kill cancer cells:

• For validated use as a primary treatment of locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix
• To minimize the chances of cancer returning after surgery
• In conjunction with radiation therapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiation)

There are two main types:

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Delivers radiation from outside the body.
• Internal radiation therapy, called brachytherapy, involves placing radiation sources within the body at locations that are in close proximity to tumors.

Brachytherapy serves as an essential element for creating successful treatments that cure cervical cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is often given:

• To patients who receive radiation treatment (concurrent chemoradiation) as part of their treatment plan.
• To patients who need surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) before their operation.

After surgical procedures, patients receive adjuvant therapy to support their recovery.

The treatment is available for patients who experience their cancer returning or spreading to other parts of the body.

Cisplatin serves as the primary treatment option used in combination with radiation therapy.

Targeted Therapy

The targeted drug bevacizumab serves as a treatment option for individuals with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. The drugs block the blood flow to tumors.

Immunotherapy

The immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab can be prescribed to certain patients who have recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and whose tumors show particular biomarkers.

What are the possible side effects of Cervical Cancer treatments?

The side effects of a treatment depend on the specific type of treatment being used.

Surgical Risks

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to the bladder or bowel
• Loss of the ability to have children

Radiation Side Effects

• Patients experience extreme tiredness, and their bodies become unable to function normally.
• People develop diarrhea as a result of their condition.
• Patients experience bladder problems because of their medical condition.
• Women develop dryness or narrowing of the vagina.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

• Patients experience both nausea and vomiting as side effects.
• Patients experience hair loss as a side effect of the treatment.
• Patients experience a decrease in their blood count.
• Patients who experience side effects are more likely to catch infections.

Many side effects are manageable with supportive medical care.

How can Cervical Cancer be effectively prevented?

Cervical cancer is one of those cancers that is largely preventable.

• HPV Vaccination - HPV vaccines protect against high-risk HPV types responsible for most cervical cancers.
• Regular Screening - Regular testing with Pap and HPV methods identifies early signs of precancerous changes.
• Safe Sexual Practices - Reducing HPV transmission lowers risk.
• Smoking Cessation - Cervical cancer risk decreases when people choose to stop using tobacco products.

What is the general outlook and prognosis for a Cervical Cancer diagnosis?

The prognosis of a patient depends primarily on the stage of their cancer when it is first diagnosed.

With the right care, early-stage cervical cancer has a good cure rate.

Locally advanced disease requires combined treatment but can still be curable.

Metastatic cervical cancer presents difficulties for treatment, which can only be addressed through systemic therapies.

Regular follow-up is essential after treatment to detect recurrence early.

What long-term follow-up care is required after Cervical Cancer treatment?

Patients who have finished their treatment need the following:

• Doctors will conduct regular pelvic examinations of patients.
• Doctors will conduct Pap testing according to the established schedule.
• Patients need imaging tests only when there are clinical indications.
• Doctors will watch patients for any lasting side effects that may arise from treatment.

Survivorship care requires both emotional support and psychological support for patients.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Cervical Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Cervical Cancer treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced gynecological oncologists and surgical specialists who provide accurate diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatment options including radical hysterectomy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Our Gynecological Oncology and Surgical Care team has decades of experience in successfully treating Cervical Cancer in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert consultation for Cervical Cancer Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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