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Cervical Cancer Surgery | We Care India

What is Cervical Cancer ?

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive organs. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cases of cervical cancer.

When exposed to HPV, a woman’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group of women, however, the virus survives for years before it eventually converts some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells. Half of cervical cancer cases occur in women between ages 35 and 55.

Thanks largely to Pap test screening, the death rate from cervical cancer has decreased greatly over the last 50 years. Still, every year more than 11,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and nearly 4,000 die of cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Around the world, cervical cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in women.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

You may not experience any cervical cancer symptoms – early cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.

As the cancer progresses, these cervical cancer symptoms and signs may appear : -

* Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause

* Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor

* Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer most commonly begins in the thin, flat cells that line the bottom of the cervix (squamous cells). Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 80 percent of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer can also occur in the glandular cells that line the upper portion of the cervix. Called adenocarcinomas, these cancers make up about 15 percent of cervical cancers. Sometimes both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Very rare cancers can occur in other cells in the cervix.

What causes squamous cells or glandular cells to become abnormal and develop into cancer isn’t clear. However, it’s certain that the sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role. Evidence of HPV is found in nearly all cervical cancers. However, HPV is a very common virus and most women with HPV never develop cervical cancer…

Treatments of Cervical Cancer

Limited, noninvasive cancer

Treatment of cervical cancer that’s confined to the outside layer of the cervix typically requires treatment to remove the abnormal area of cells. For most women in this situation, no additional treatments are needed.

Procedures to remove noninvasive cancer include : -

* Cone biopsy (conization) : – During this surgery, the doctor uses a scalpel to remove a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue where the abnormality is found.

* Laser surgery : – This operation uses a narrow beam of intense light to kill cancerous and precancerous cells.

* Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) : – This technique uses a wire loop to pass electrical current, which cuts like a surgeon’s knife, and remove cells from the mouth of the cervix.

* Cryosurgery : – This technique involves freezing and killing cancerous and precancerous cells.

* Hysterectomy : – This major surgery involves removal of the cancerous and precancerous areas, the cervix and the uterus. Hysterectomy is usually done only in certain selected cases of noninvasive cervical cancer.

Invasive cancers

Cervical cancer that invades deeper than the outside layer of cells on the cervix is referred to as invasive cancer and requires more extensive treatment. Treatment for cervical cancer depends on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer, other health problems you may have and your own preferences about treatment.

Treatment options may include : -

* Surgery : – Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) is typically used to treat the early stages of cervical cancer. A simple hysterectomy involves the removal of the cancer, the cervix and the uterus. Simple hysterectomy is typically an option only when the cancer is very early stage – invasion is less than 3 millimeters (mm) into the cervix. A radical hysterectomy – removal of the cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and lymph nodes in the area – is the standard surgical treatment when there’s an invasion of greater than 3 mm into the cervix and no evidence of tumor on the walls of the pelvis.

Hysterectomy can cure early-stage cervical cancers and prevent cancer from coming back, but removing the uterus makes it impossible to become pregnant in the future. Expect about six weeks of recovery time. Temporary side effects of radical hysterectomy include pelvic pain and difficulty with bowel movements and urination.

* Radiation : – Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given externally using external beam radiation or internally (brachytherapy) by placing devices filled with radioactive material near your cervix. Radiation therapy is as effective as surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. For women with more advanced cervical cancer, radiation is often the best treatment.

Both methods of radiation therapy can be combined. Radiation therapy can be used alone, with chemotherapy, before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Side effects of radiation to the pelvic area include upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, bladder irritation and narrowing of your vagina, which can make intercourse difficult. Premenopausal women may stop menstruating as a result of radiation therapy and begin menopause.

* Chemotherapy : – Chemotherapy uses strong anti-cancer chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs, which can be used alone or in combination with each other, are usually injected into a vein and they travel throughout your body killing quickly growing cells, including cancer cells. Low doses of chemotherapy are often combined with radiation therapy, since chemotherapy may enhance the effects of the radiation.

Higher doses of chemotherapy are used to control advanced cervical cancer that may not be curable. Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs being administered, but generally include diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and hair loss. Certain chemotherapy drugs may cause infertility and early menopause in premenopausal women.

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Ovarian Cysts – When To Seek Emergency Medical Care

The symptoms of ovarian cysts are not to be ignored. Actually, if you have ovarian cysts the pain alone will probably drive you to the doctor’s office regardless how reluctant you may be.

While many cysts will disappear on their own over a period of time, there are occasions when immediate medical care is required. Cysts can rupture and cause significant bleeding both externally and internally. Left untreated they may become life threatening. If you display any of the following you should seek help at an emergency medical facility immediately:

Unexplained shoulder pain coupled with severe lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain. Excessive thirst and need to frequently urinate. Continual vomiting or nausea. Feeling faint, light headed or dizzy while standing. Fainting Having a persistent fever.

If you display these symptoms you need to get medical help now. Putting it off will further endanger your health and may likely result in a surgical solution as opposed to less invasive therapy.

Ideally you will never face an emergency situation. Make sure you know the common symptoms of ovarian cysts and see your doctor for a diagnosis. An ultrasound and a series of blood tests is the only way to positively rule ovarian cysts in or out.

If you are diagnosed with cysts, then you need to have an informed discussion with your doctor as to what to do next. There are pluses and minuses to the traditional approach of drug therapy. Make sure you know what they are and how it may affect your particular situation.

Also be aware that there are natural therapies that focus on diet, exercise and relaxation.

It’s your body. Become educated and become a true partner with your physician in determining what the best therapy for you is.