Cervical Cancer Symptoms:

In case the normal cervical cells have not been attacked by these lesions, the treatments involved would be comparatively simple and uncomplicated. Pre-cancerous variations in the cervix generally are not painful and are usually asymptomatic and are spotted only following a pelvic examination and a Pap smear test. The Pap smear test is done for scraping cell samples from the outer part and the canal of the cervix to be sent for microscopic analysis for detecting malignant or pre-malignant conditions in the cervix.

Symptoms generally surface only after the irregular cervical cells turn malignant and attack tissues in its close proximity. When this occurs, the most prevalent sign is irregular bleeding that would begin and halt in-between normal menstrual cycles or might happen following sexual intercourse, when one douches or during the course of a pelvic examination. Bleeding during periods might be prolonged and have a heavier flow than normal.

Post-menopausal bleeding also might be an indicator of cervical cancer. An increase in the secretion of vaginal discharge is yet another sign of the presence of cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Treatment:

Cervical cancer is treated in several ways that include:

• LEEP or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure – During this uncomplicated procedure conducted at the doctor’s clinic under the influence of local anesthesia, an electrically charge wire loop is employed for removal of the outer part of the cervix that contains the irregular tissue. This extracted tissue is then sent for microscopic analysis for corroborating that there are no traces of remnant cancer. In most women, a single LEEP procedure is enough for curing them and they could soon return to carrying out day-to-day activities.
• Cryosurgery – This procedure involves the freezing and killing of the anomalous cells present on the cervix. During this procedure conducted at the doctor’s clinic not involving the need for anesthesia, a silver probe that has previously undergone cooling using liquid nitrogen is placed against the cervix for freeze-killing the outer anomalous cell layer on the cervix.
• Cryosurgery Hysterectomy – In this major surgical procedure the uterus is removed via the abdomen or vagina and the patient would need to stay overnight at the hospital subsequent to the procedure. There are limited reasons for conducting hysterectomy for treating pre-malignant lesions. It is at times employed for women that had have experienced more than one recurrence and do not have adequate tissue needed for performing another LEEP procedure.

Invasive Cancer Treatment

Invasive cancer is treated on the basis of the extent or spread of the tumor. When the tumor is small-sized and restricted to the cervix, only then either a radical hysterectomy or radiation therapy would be performed. In case the tumors are large-sized or spread to the adjoining tissues or lymph nodes then a more concentrated form of therapy is needed like radiation therapy that at times includes the chemotherapy drugs also being added during the procedure.

• Radical Hysterectomy – This involves the surgical excision of the uterus, the upper segment of the vagina, the ligament and the connective tissues that help in holding the uterus in its place. A general course of action during a radical hysterectomy is the removal of the lymph nodes in the pelvic region, as minuscule-sized cancer cells could metastasize to those lymph nodes and spread to the ligaments holding the uterus. The ovaries are spared during radical hysterectomy and preserving the ovarian function is deemed one of the advantages of this approach which is vital for women in the younger age bracket. Subsequent to a radical hysterectomy procedure, there is bound be a stoppage of menstrual periods and the imminent sterility, though the production of the female hormone estrogen would still carry on in the body. With the appropriate selection of patients for this kind of procedure, the curative rate is a promising, 85-95%.
• Radiation Therapy – During this treatment high-power energy beams are focussed on the malignant area for obliterating cancer cells and impeding their further spread. A localised treatment that functions by targeting cancer cells in one spot. The radiation is emitted from a large machine known as external radiation or derived from radioactive materials that are placed within the cervix known as implant radiation. There are few patients that are offered both the forms of radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy – A single or a combination of drugs given either orally or intravenously in cycles for annihilating cancer cells that have metastasized. A systematic treatment that involves the drugs flowing thorough the bloodstream in the body.
• Biological Therapy – During this treatment, substances intended for fortifying the woman’s immune system are used. It could be used in treating cancer that has spread past the cervix and reached other areas of the body. Interferon is the most prevalent type of biological therapy for treating cervical cancer and could be given along with chemotherapy. In majority of the cases interferon is given on an outpatient basis.

• Pap smear screenings are carried out for detecting pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions, though it doesn’t provide the absolute analysis.
• In case of any anomalous changes being spotted, the cervix is generally inspected microscopically. This is known as colposcopy.
• During biopsy, the surgical removal of a small section of the tissue is done that is forwarded for further laboratory investigation.

Other testing methods might comprise of:

• Endocervical curettage or ECC: is employed for examination of the cervical region.
• Cold Knife Cone biopsy: This surgical procedure is conducted for getting anomalous tissue samples from the cervix to be sent for detailed evaluation. This test is performed under general anesthesia for diagnosis and treatment of early cancerous changes in the cervix. During the procedure conducted in the hospital, a tiny cone-like tissue sample is taken from the cervix and scrutinized microscopically for any symptoms of cancer. This form of biopsy might also be inclusive of the treatment procedure for removal of all malignant tissues.

In case of being detected with cervical cancer, the woman would be ordered to undergo additional tests by the health care provider in order to ascertain the extent or staging of cancer proliferation. Tests might comprise of:

• CT scan.
• MRI scan.
• An x-ray of the chest region.
• Cystoscopy or Cystourethroscopy – A procedure conducted for viewing the interiors of the bladder and the urethra by employing a special tube fitted with a miniscule camera on its tip known as the endoscope.

There are two kinds of cystoscopes used namely: Standard Rigid Cystoscope and the Flexible Cystoscope. The manner of insertion seems to vary though the test is conducted in analogous manner. The type of cystoscope being used by the doctor is dependent on the reason why the examination is done. In case a standard rigid cystoscope is employed, the person would need to lie down flat on the back with knees raised up and separate. This posture would be unnecessary in case of a flexible cystoscope.

The procedure generally requires five to twenty minutes in which cleansing of the urethra is done and the patient is given a local anesthesia. Water or saline solution is passed through the cystoscope for filling the bladder via a scope that is introduced inside the bladder through the urethra. The bladder wall tends to expand as the fluid inundates the bladder. This is done so that the bladder wall could be completely viewed. One might sense fullness in the bladder during the entire course of the examination. A part of the tissue sample is removed via the cystoscope in case of presence of dubious tissue to be examined microscopically.

• Intravenous Pyelogram: This is a specialised assessment of the kidneys, urinary bladder and ureters that is conducted in the radiology section of the hospital by an x-ray technician. The bladder might be needed to be emptied prior to starting the procedure. An iodine-derived contracting dye injection is intravenously administered in the arm. Sequences of x-rays are captured at varying times for observing the manner in which the kidneys excrete the dye and the way it accumulates in the urine.

At times, a compression device – a broad belt having two inflatable balloons might be employed for maintaining  the contrast matter in the kidneys. This hour long procedure would conclude with one required to pass urine again for checking the way in which the bladder is emptying.

A regular diet and medicines could be resumed following the procedure. One should consume loads of fluids for aiding in easy removal of all the contrast dye from the system.