Cervical cancer is epithelial cancer that forms in the uterine cervix. It is the fourth most common cancer in the world.
Cervical cancer can be prevented through human papillomavirus vaccination, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions. The earliest symptoms are watery discharge from the vagina, post-coital bleeding, or intermittent spotting.
Stages of the disease
Stage I: Carcinoma is restricted to the cervix
Stage IA: Invasive carcinoma, maximum depth of invasion ≤5 mm
Stage IA1: Maximum depth of invasion ≤3 mm
Stage IA2: Maximum depth of invasion >3 and ≤5 mm
Stage IB: Maximum depth of invasion >5 mm
Stage IB1: Maximum depth of invasion >5 mm and ≤2 cm
Stage IB2: Maximum depth of invasion >2 cm and ≤4 cm
Stage IB3: Maximum depth of invasion >4 cm
Stage II cancer: Cancer has not extended onto the lower part of the vagina or pelvic wall
Stage IIA: Only the upper two-thirds of the vagina was involved
Stage IIB: Cancer spreads to the parametrial region but not the pelvic wall
Stage III: The lower third of the vagina and pelvic wall gets impacted
Stage IIIA: The lower third of the vagina was involved but not the pelvic wall
Stage IIIB: Extended to the pelvic wall
Stage IIIC: Pelvic region and para-aortic lymph nodes are involved
Stage IIIC1: Pelvic lymph node is only impacted
Stage IIIC2: Para-aortic lymph nodes are impacted
Stage IV: Other organs beyond the pelvis are impacted
Stage IVA: Cancer was spread to pelvic organs
Stage IVB: Cancer was spread to distant organs
Symptoms
Bleeding between or following periods
Excess bleeding than normal during menstruation
Pain after intercourse
Pelvic or back pain
Increased vaginal discharge
Diagnosis
Patients cannot diagnose the disease in the early stages.
Patients with symptoms should undergo a medical examination, which includes
History and physical
Complete blood count
Cervical biopsy
Liver function test
Renal function studies
Imaging