Cervix cancer / cervix

Cervix cancer / cervix



It is one of the most frequent cancers of the reproductive organs. Most cases of cancer of the cervix are due to an infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Before this cancer appears , the cells of the cervix show precancerous changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the tissue of the cervix. An annual cytology looks for alterations in the cells of the uterine neck that can end in a cancer .

With the increased use of the Pap smear , mortality from cancer of the cervix it has decreased significantly. The possibility of successfully treating cancer is maximum when it is detected early.

Types of cancer of cervix
There are two main types of cancer of the cervix or cervix; each one develops from different types of tissues. The most common (around 80% to 90%) is squamous cell carcinoma . The other 10% to 20% are adenocarcinomas.

The carcinoma epidermoid develops in the lining of the cervix. There is some controversy as to whether patients with cervical adenocarcinoma have a worse prognosis than those with epidermoid carcinoma , which is more frequent.

The adenocarcinoma develops in the cells of the cervical mucus producing glands. Some types of adenocarcinoma are aggressive and are accompanied by a poor prognosis . The most important prognostic factor is the cancer stage , which determines the therapeutic options and the results.

Treatment options are the same regardless of whether the cancer of cervix classified as epidermoid or adenocarcinoma .

Symptoms of cancer of the cervix

In its early stages, the cancer of the cervix does not usually cause symptoms, why they are so important regular Pap smears, especially in sexually active women. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:


  • Vaginal discharge dyed blood
  • Bleeding after having sex
  • Abnormal bleeding: after menopause, between periods or excessively profuse menses
  • Increase in urinary frequency
  • Pain
  • Swelling of one leg (seen in more advanced cases)

Comments