Cervical cancer is one that develops in the cervix, which is the portion in contact with the vagina. Most of these cancers develop in an area called the "transformation zone." Human papillomavirus infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer, causing more than 90% of cases. This virus is so common that it affects nearly 70% of sexually active women.  

​

Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly, over several years. Before cervical cancer develops, changes occur at the cellular level that are called "dysplasia" or pre-cancer.  

​

Thanks to effective screening with cytology, called Papanicolaou, cervical cancers can be detected at very early stages, or even in dysplastic conditions.  

​

The most common type of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases. Other less common types include adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.  

 

Cervical Cancer Symptoms  

​

The most common type of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, that is, not related to menstrual cycles. Other symptoms include pain during intercourse, pelvic pain, or unusual vaginal discharge.  

 

Risk factors for cervical cancer

-Having started sexual relations at an early age.  

-Having or having had many sexual partners.  

-Having given birth to three or more children.  

-Smoking.  

-Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  

 

Diagnosis of cervical cancer  

​

The Pap smear is usually done to identify and detect if there is a dysplasia, if any abnormality is identified in the Pap smear results, the next step is to perform a colposcopy. Colposcopy is an examination of the vagina and cervix with an optically magnifying instrument. If any abnormality is found during the colposcopy, a biopsy is taken at the same time. A biopsy is a sample of a small part of the cervix (where it is abnormal) to be examined by a specialist under a microscope.  

​

If any alteration in the cervix cannot be correctly identified after colposcopy, a conization may be necessary, which is the removal of a greater amount of tissue from the cervix to confirm a diagnosis. Conization can also serve as part of the treatment.  

​

If a diagnosis of cervical cancer is made, extensive studies such as tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be requested to look for disease in other parts of the body.  

 

Cervical cancer treatment

​

In early stages, cervical cancer is treated with surgery. This can range from removing the site affected by the tumor only, to removing the entire womb along with the surrounding lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread to other sites. In fertile patients who wish to preserve their fertility, there is a procedure in which the cervix is completely removed along with part of the vagina and the uterus is left, this procedure is known as "trachelectomy". Depending on the tissues affected by the cancer that are examined in the postoperative period, it is assessed if there is any benefit of adding chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  

​

If the cancer has spread beyond the cervix to surrounding pelvic tissues, it is recommended that treatment with radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy be performed instead of surgery.