Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor, which according to medical statistics among similar pathologies that occur in women, is in fourth place immediately after oncology of the stomach, mammary glands and skin. The main source of such a tumor is normal cells that cover the cervix.
This tumor is detected annually in more than six hundred thousand patients. As a rule, cervical cancer can occur between the ages of forty to sixty years. True, it is worth noting that recently this disease has become very younger.
In this article, we learn what symptoms are observed in women with the development of this disease, and also consider its main stages and methods of treatment.
The main causes of the disease
As with other oncological pathologies, the main risk factors for cervical oncology are old age, along with exposure to radiation and all kinds of chemical carcinogens. In addition, scientists have already shown that there is a direct link between the development of cervical cancer and papilloma virus. This virus is usually detected in one hundred percent of cancer patients. Moreover, papilloma viruses of the 16th and 18th strains are responsible for 70% of cases of oncology of the cervix uteri. We name the main factors that provoke this disease:
- Too early onset of sexual activity. Intimacy is considered, which begins before the age of sixteen.
- The onset of early pregnancy. Also included are early births that occurred before the age of sixteen.
- A woman leading a promiscuous sex life.
- The presence of abortion.
- The appearance of inflammatory diseases of the genital organs.
- The presence of bad habits, for example, smoking.
- Prolonged use of hormonal contraceptives.
- The presence of violations in the work of immunity.
How is this pathology formed?
As a rule, a tumor can occur against the background of a precancerous condition, which includes erosion, dysplasia, the presence of flat condylomas on the cervix along with cicatricial changes after childbirth and abortion, and in addition, various changes in the properties of cervical cells that result from long-term ongoing inflammatory processes.
As practice shows, the process of transformation from precancer into a cancerous tumor can take from two to fifteen years. The next transition from the early stage of cervical cancer to the final one lasts two years. At first, a tumor can only damage the cervix, and then it gradually begins to grow into the surrounding organs. During the course of the disease, tumor cells are able to be transported with the flow of lymph to nearby lymph nodes, forming new malignant formations, that is, metastases.
How can such an oncology be recognized?
The initial stage of cervical cancer can be completely asymptomatic. Often, the disease is accidentally detected by a gynecologist during a routine examination of the patient. But any woman must be wary if she has whitish discharge with a small admixture of blood from the vagina. The larger the tumor, and also the longer it already exists, the higher the likelihood that bloody discharge will appear from the vagina, for example, after intercourse or as a result of lifting weights, all kinds of pressure or as a result of the douching procedure. Similar symptoms appear when ulcerations with ruptured blood vessels already exist on the cervix. Signs of cervical cancer are important to notice in a timely manner.
Further, as the disease develops, compression of the nerve plexuses of the pelvis occurs, which may be accompanied by the appearance of pain in the sacral region, and in addition, in the lower back or lower abdomen. With the progression of this disease and the further spread of the tumor towards the pelvic organs, symptoms such as, for example, various back pain along with swelling of the legs, impaired urination and defecation may appear. The occurrence of fistulas connecting the intestines and vagina is not excluded. Now we find out what symptoms are observed in the presence of such a pathology as cervical cancer.
Symptoms
So, as already noted, the initial stage of cancer, as a rule, proceeds without any special symptoms, and therefore such a diagnosis can only be established after a cytological examination, which involves a smear from the cervical region. In addition, colposcopy is done as part of the diagnosis. Because of the danger of developing such a dangerous disease, it is important for women to be regularly observed by a gynecologist, and in addition, undergo screening. Among the main signs that subsequently appear in the presence of cancer of this organ, the following symptoms are distinguished:
- The appearance of leucorrhoea along with spotting that comes from the vagina.
- The appearance of contact secretions. Such a sign can be detected in the form of spotting, which are formed during intercourse, as well as after its completion.
- The presence of pain during sexual intercourse.
- Bleeding that occurs between menstruation.
- The duration of the period of menstruation along with the severity of this process. What other signs of cervical cancer are there?
- The presence of rare watery discharge, which is caused by collapsing lymphatic capillaries adjacent to the layer of the epithelium.
- The decay of the tumor can lead to the stench of secretions, which in this case may resemble pus.
- The appearance of a feeling of pain may indicate the spread of the cancer process, which goes to the parametric fiber. In addition, this may indicate compression, which occurs in the nerve plexuses of the sacral region. Thus, pain can appear in the lower back, and in addition, in the rectum, lower abdomen, in the sacrum and hips, which, in turn, is caused by infiltrates that occur near the walls of the pelvis. Of course, this depends on the degree of cervical cancer.
- Compression of the ureter. This phenomenon causes a violation of the urine outflow along with renal failure. And when squeezing the lymphatic vessels, lymph congestion can occur, which will form in the legs. Thus, lymphostasis occurs.
- The late stages of the disease can be accompanied by the presence of a dysuric disorder, which is formed against a background of damage to the bladder, as well as a violation of the act of defecation. Germination of a tumor in the intestine can cause blood to appear in the stool, and subsequently the situation may worsen until a fistula forms.
- The most serious complications of this pathology are the development of cancer cachexia, uremia and peritonitis.
Below we consider the stages of cervical cancer.
Stages of the disease and clinical picture
Oncology of the cervix is a malignant formation, which takes place in the framework of its development four main stages. Depending on a particular stage of the pathology, doctors develop a personalized therapy program that allows you to get the most positive result. It should be emphasized that far from all countries there is an opportunity to identify oncology at an early stage.
The zero stage of development of cervical cancer (photo presented) is said when a disease is detected that can transform into a malignant tumor. A similar situation is called a precancerous condition, which includes the presence of papilloma, leukoplakia and erosion. In that case, if it is at this stage that the treatment is carried out, it will be possible to significantly reduce the risk of the further appearance of the tumor.
The first stage of cervical cancer is diagnosed if the lesion affects the surface of the epithelial layer of the organ mucosa. Against this background, cancer cells are not observed in the surrounding tissues:
- The oncology stage “1A” is described by the presence of a tumor whose size does not exceed half a centimeter.
- With oncology at the stage of "1B", the tumor size can reach four centimeters, but no damage to adjacent tissues occurs.
It should be emphasized that at this stage, the survival rate of patients is about one hundred percent. In most situations, the development of the tumor is not accompanied by any complications, and directly reproductive functions are preserved. But there is a risk of recurrence of the disease, therefore, after curing from the pathology, the patient should undergo regular examinations.
Cervical cancer of the second degree is detected in the presence of germination of a malignant tumor in the deep layers. True, at this stage, the spread of oncology to other tissues has not yet begun. It is possible to observe mutated cells in the region of regional lymph nodes. This situation is quite dangerous, as lymphatic current can contribute to the further spread of malignant neoplasms. Unlike the first degree of the disease, at this stage a woman can begin to note the following characteristic symptoms:
- The appearance of causeless bleeding.
- Sensation of pain in the pelvic and pubic regions.
- Observation of various vaginal discharge.
- Failure of the usual course of the menstrual cycle.
Stage 3 cervical cancer means that the tumor has already spread to deeper layers, affecting the area of the vagina with the inner wall of the pelvis. There may be a complication of the pathology in the form of impaired renal function, and in addition, obstruction of the ureters. The following signs characteristic of the third stage are distinguished:
- The appearance of edema of the extremities.
- The presence of copious discharge.
- Obstructed bowel and bladder emptying.
- Sense of pain in the pelvic area.
- The presence of high fatigue.
It should be emphasized that a complication of the pathology often leads to death.
With cancer of the fourth degree, intestinal metastasis is diagnosed, and in addition, the bladder and bone tissue. Often, the prognosis of treatment in this case is extremely unfavorable. Nevertheless, such a dangerous disease as cervical cancer is being tried in Israeli clinics, even in the later stages. As part of the treatment, the most effective methods are used to prolong the life of patients, and everything is done to reduce the expressed symptomatic picture. It is worth noting that palliative treatment allows you to extend the life of a person for another few years.
Squamous cervical cancer
It is considered a histological variety of cervical cancer, which is formed by a stratified squamous epithelium lining the cervix, more precisely its vaginal part. This histological type is diagnosed in 70-80% of cases, in 10-20% they are diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, 10% are in low-grade cancer, the detection of other malignant tumors of the cervix is less than 1%.
The maximum incidence of squamous cervical cancer is noted in women aged 40 to 60 years. A long period of symptoms are absent. This leads to the fact that oncology is diagnosed already in an advanced stage. The prognosis and outcome of the disease are disappointing. Prevention and conduct of mass screening are the priority tasks of practical gynecology and oncology.
Diagnosis of the disease
Diagnosis of this form of cancer begins with a visit to a gynecologist. During the examination, in the framework of which a digital examination of the vagina is performed, the condition of the cervix is studied using gynecological mirrors, as well as by colposcopy. As part of this procedure, the study is carried out through a special optical device called a colposcope. Thanks to him, the doctor can determine the condition of the cervix, and in addition, the presence of any neoplasms on it, if any. During the study, a biopsy can be performed, in which a tissue sample is taken for subsequent histological examination. In the event that the gynecologist's suspicion can be confirmed, the patient will be referred for an oncologist consultation.
In order to accurately identify the development of cervical cancer at its early stage, a special test is performed. In fact, it is recommended to do it regularly at least every two years for absolutely every woman after the age of forty. As part of this test, a smear is taken from the cervix using a stick, and then it is stained with a special dye, examined under a microscope. This technique is called cytological examination of a smear from the uterine surface. It is interesting to note that in English-speaking countries this test is called "according to Papanicolaou", and in the USA it is called "pap smear".
In some situations, when diagnosing cancer of this organ, doctors prescribe an ultrasound scan. Using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of the abdominal cavity, the size with the localization of the cancerous lesion is determined, and it is also determined whether local lymph nodes have been affected.
Treatment
The treatment of a disease such as cervical oncology is always combined and includes not only surgery, but also chemical and radiation therapy. In each specific situation, treatment is prescribed individually, which directly depends on the stage of the disease, and in addition, on concomitant pathologies. In parallel, doctors take into account the general condition of the cervix with the presence of inflammatory processes immediately at the time of treatment.
During cervical cancer surgery, a tumor can be removed with a small part of the organ itself. True, there are frequent cases of removal of the tumor along with the entire cervix, and sometimes with the uterus. It also happens that the operation is supplemented by the removal of lymph nodes in the pelvic area. This is done when the cancer cells managed to penetrate and take root there. The decision to remove the ovaries is usually made individually. It should be noted that at an early stage of cancer development in young patients, the ovaries can sometimes be preserved.
After surgery, if necessary, patients may be prescribed radiation therapy for cervical cancer. Treatment with ionizing radiation usually complements surgical therapy, and is sometimes prescribed separately. Chemotherapy can be used in the treatment of cancer along with special drugs that stop the growth of cancer cell division. But it is worth noting that, unfortunately, as such, the possibilities of chemotherapy against the background of this disease are greatly limited. What is the prognosis of cervical cancer?
The success of treatment directly depends on the age of the woman, as well as on the right treatment option, and most importantly, on the early diagnosis of the disease. In situations in which cervical cancer is detected in the early stages, the prognosis is usually very favorable, and the disease itself can be cured thanks to surgical methods.
What is life after cervical cancer? This can be found in the reviews.
Reviews of patients about treatment methods
Patients who suffer from this terrible disease write that in our country, surgery is used to treat this pathology, and in addition, chemotherapy. Those who underwent five courses of chemotherapy with radiation say that they are still tormented by pain, which is expressed in the feeling that something is pulling the lower abdomen and lower back. In some women, after undergoing treatment, the neck began to adhere to the area of the large intestine, resulting in adhesions that continue to cause pain.
What are other cervical cancer reviews?
Patients who treated at an early stage write that the therapy was successful. Thus, everything went off for them by conization, and nothing threatens their health anymore. The only thing that remains is to continue to be regularly examined by a gynecologist, since there is a high probability of a relapse.
Conclusion
Thus, the described disease is extremely dangerous for women's health and for life as well. Like other oncological diseases, it should be treated at an early stage. And in order to catch the oncological process in time, women need to regularly monitor their health and visit a gynecologist every six months, especially after the age of forty.