Cervical cancer is the second leading malignancy in women, right after breast cancer.

How does it happen?

Cervical cancer occurs due to malignant transformation of the cells that make up the cervix. The trigger in as much as 97 percent of cases is the human papilloma virus. There are more than 100 types of viruses, 40 of which cause changes in the cervical mucosa, and about 20-30 are potentially oncogenic.

According to the pathohistological classification, cervical cancers are divided into squamous cell carcinomas, which are the most common, and adenocarcinomas, which account for 15 to 20 percent. In rare cases, microcellular carcinomas, adenosospasm, and sarcomas occur.

Prevention and early detection

Women are especially at risk of developing cervical cancer:

- who have had numerous sexual partners
- who had sex with a man who was infected with the HPV virus
- who have condyloma and other sexually transmitted diseases
- who have previously been treated for CIN 1 and CIN 2
- who have been taking oral contraceptives for a long time
- who are smokers or former smokers
- who do not go to regular gynecological examinations and PAPA test
- who have a weak immune system
- No symptoms in the early stages

Although there are no clear symptoms, the body sends individual signals that a dangerous tumor is developing in it…

- pain in my stomach
- pain in the legs
- bone pain
- blood in the urine
- inability to delay urination
- vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle (usually it is point bleeding)
- Menopausal bleeding
- loss of appetite
- sudden weight loss
- drowsiness and nervousness

After the first stage, the cervix is ​​swollen and unable to allow normal blood flow, leading to swelling and pain in the legs.

Although cervical cancer shows no symptoms in the early stages, regular testing can help detect abnormal cells in the cervix that cause cancer.

It is necessary to go for a preventive gynecological examination at least once a year, which includes colposcopy and Pap test.

When changes are found on a Pap test, a biopsy and cytological examination of the material are performed to accurately determine the stage of the cancer.

In addition, SCC tumor markers are monitored, usually during treatment. Invasive carcinoma occurs when malignant cells penetrate the basement membrane and start from the epithelium and spread to the stroma.

Throat cancer spreads in three ways: lymphogenic (most common), hematogenous, and directly into the surrounding tissue.

Doctors point out that in some women, tingling when urinating is a common symptom.

It is important to know that urinary problems are not always a sign of a urinary tract infection, so it is best to see a specialist.

Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual cycles should be investigated to take timely action.

In the first stage, the cancer cells may be on the surface of the cervix or deeper in the cervical tissue. As the tumor develops, menstrual cycles become heavier, irregular, and often accompanied by pain in the pelvis, spine, or legs. Some patients also have swelling of the lower extremities, which is a sign that the tumor has entered the final stage.

Then the blood vessels are under pressure and normal blood flow is interrupted. Cancer cells can also spread to the bladder and cause tingling or blood in the urine.

Percentage of survivors of infected women
In the initial stage, when the cancer has not penetrated the basement membrane, ie when the treatment is carried out only by removing the cervix, the five-year survival is 93 percent.

In the first stage, when the disease invades the cervical stroma, the survival rate is between 80 and 90 percent.

While in the fourth stage, the five-year survival is 15 percent.