Cervical Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

Early Signs of Cervical Cancer and Effective Treatment Strategies

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in India. While it is a serious health condition, it is preventable and treatable, especially when detected early. It arises from the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects the vagina.

Therefore, knowing its early signs and potential symptoms will not only aid in detection but also assist in prevention. In this blog, we will discuss cervical cancer symptoms for various stages and their causes.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer forms in the cervix of the female reproductive system. The cervix is often referred to as the neck of the uterus, as it connects the vagina to the uterus. There are two parts of the cervix:

● Exocervix (ectocervix): This is the outer part of the cervix, and it contains thin, flat cells called squamous cells.

● Endocervix: This is the inner part of the cervix, connecting the vagina to the uterus. It also produces mucus and is covered in column-like glandular cells.

The border where both exocervix and endocervix meet, known as the transformative zone, is where most cervical cancer starts.

What are the Different Types of Cervical Cancer?

There are three types of cervical cancer. They are:

● Adenocarcinomas: They develop from the glandular cells present in the mucus-producing endocervix part.

● Squamous Cell Carcinomas: They generally begin in the transformative zone between the exocervix and endocervix.

● Mixed Carcinomas: Cervical cancers having both the features of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are called mixed carcinomas.

Different Stages of Cervical Cancer

According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, there are 4 stages of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer stages show how far the cancer has spread. They are:

1. Stage I Cervical Cancer

Stage I cervical cancer is the earliest stage of the cancer. In stage I, the cancer is contained in the cervix. There are six distinctions in stage I:

● I A: The cancer can only be seen through a microscope and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

● I A1: The cancer is less than 3mm in size.

● I A2: At this stage, the cancer has grown to 3 mm to 5 mm in size. However, it is still visible with a microscope.

● I B: The cancer spreads more than 5mm but is still limited to the cervix.

● I B1: The cancer cells are smaller than 2 cm in size but bigger than 5 mm.

● I B3: The cancer is almost at the second stage, where it is at least 4 cm in size. However, it has not spread to the nearby sites.

2. Stage II Cervical Cancer

In stage II, it is approximately 4 cm in size. The cancer spreads to the upper two-thirds of the uterus or the vagina. It is subdivided into four categories:

● II A: The cancer has spread to the uterus/vagina. However, it does not spread to the tissues next to the cervix.

● II A1: The cancer is less than 4 cm in size.

● II A2: The cancer is more than 4 cm or equal to it.

● II B: The cancer is almost at the third stage, where it has spread to nearby tissues next to the cervix.

3. Stage III Cervical Cancer

The cancer is in the advanced stage, where it has spread to the lower third of the pelvic wall or vagina. Generally, people start to show kidney problems at this stage. The three subcategories are:

● III A: It has spread to the lower part of the vagina.

● III B: It blocks one or both uterus, resulting in kidney problems.

● III C: The cancer has spread to the nearby pelvic lymph nodes and can be of any size.

4. Stage IV Cervical Cancer

This is the most advanced stage of cancer, where it has spread beyond the pelvis. It is subdivided into two parts:

● IV A: The cancer spreads to the bladder or rectum.

● IV B: The cancer spreads outside the pelvic area to distant organs such as the lungs.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

Unfortunately, early stages of cervical cancer rarely exhibit any symptoms. This makes it hard to detect and delay treatment. However, if you face any of the initial symptoms of cervical cancer, contact a doctor immediately.

1. Stage 1 Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Early symptoms of cervical cancer are rare and undetectable. However, sometimes there may be the following signs:

● Pelvic discomfort

● Bleeding at irregular times (in between periods)

2. Stage 2 Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of cervical cancer in females at stage II are noticeable as the tumour starts growing. They are:

● Bleeding after vaginal sex

● Unusual vaginal discharge

● Bleeding after menopause

● Longer or heavier periods

● Abnormal uterine bleeding

● Pelvic pain

● Spotting between periods

● Bloody discharge

3. Stage 3 Cervical Cancer Symptoms

At stage III, cervical cancer has entered an advanced stage. This is because, at this stage, it usually spreads into the pelvic walls or vaginal canal. Cervical cancer stages symptoms are:

● Painful vaginal sex

● Weight loss

● Back pain

● Problems with bowel movement

● Problems with urination

● Leg swelling

● Bloody urine

At this stage, women will begin to experience cervical cancer urinary symptoms like the ones mentioned above. If you are facing these symptoms, seek expert care immediately.

4. Stage 4 Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Stage IV is the most advanced stage of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer last stage symptoms are as follows:

● Fatigue

● Weakness

● Spitting up blood

● Bone deficiencies

● Shortness of breath

● Lethargy

● Vaginal fistula

Stage IV is invasive to your body as it spreads to distant organs outside the pelvic region. Therefore, women face invasive cervical cancer symptoms in this stage.

What Causes Cervical Cancer Symptoms?

One of the persistent causes of cervical cancer symptoms is the HPV virus. The Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, spreads through sexual contact. You can get HPV from oral, anal or vaginal sexual contact. This virus affects the throat, skin and genital areas the most.

Our body usually clears this virus since it is common to get infected by it. However, persistent infection can lead to the growth of abnormal cells, ultimately causing cancer.

Who is at Risk for Cervical Cancer?

Anyone with a cervix is at risk of developing cervical cancer. However, it is most common for women aged between 30 and 35. Moreover, if you have had a total hysterectomy, you cannot develop cervical cancer.

Here are some potential risk factors:

● Weak Immune System: Your body cannot fight off cervical cancer causes and symptoms if its immune system is weakened. For example, if you are diagnosed with HIV.

● Medical History: If you have a history of kidney, vaginal, vulva, or bladder cancer, you are more likely to develop cervical cancer.

● Sexual History: Cervical cancer can affect people who have had multiple sexual partners. Moreover, it can affect women who give birth before 18 years of age.

● Smoking: If you smoke or used to smoke, you are at risk of developing cervical cancer.

● Family History: Cervical cancer may have a genetic component. This means that if someone from your family has been diagnosed with cancer, you are also at risk.

How is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?

Cervical cancer does not develop in a short period. Instead, it takes years to form and accumulate into cancer. A Pap Smear Test is a screening process to determine cervical cancer. It helps identify pre-cancerous cells and HPV.

Other diagnosis involves:

● Endocervical curettage

● Punch biopsy

● Cone biopsy

● Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)

What are Some Possible Treatments for Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a highly treatable and curable cancer if caught early. Generally, the following treatments are available for cervical cancer:

● Radiation

● Surgery

● Chemotherapy

● Immunotherapy

● Targeted surgery

Conclusion

Early detection of cervical cancer through Pap Smears and HPV tests is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes. Remember to always look out for cervical cancer symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain. Early detection can prevent further development and complications of cervical cancer.