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Cervical cancer, also called cervical cancer, a malignant disorder involving the cells of the uterus and which is normally associated with infection by the human papillomavirus, HPV, type 6, 11, 16 or 18, which is transmitted by sexual and promotes changes in the DNA of cells, favoring the development of cancer.
This type of cancer is more frequent in women between 40 and 60 years old, and its occurrence can be influenced by some factors such as multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections, prolonged use of contraceptives and nutritional deficiencies, for example.
It is important that treatment for cervical cancer is started as soon as the diagnosis is made, as this way it is possible to avoid complications and achieve a cure.
Main causes
Cervical cancer is usually related to HPV infection, however not all women who have contact with this virus will develop cancer, because in some cases the virus can be eliminated following the treatment recommended by the gynecologist.
However, some types of HPV, mainly types 6, 11, 16 and 18, are able to resist the indicated treatment and cause changes in the cells of the uterine tissue, favoring the development of cervical cancer. In addition to HPV infection, other factors may favor the onset of this type of cancer, such as:
- Very early onset of sexual life;
- Having multiple sexual partners;
- Do not use a condom during intimate contact;
- Having any STIs, such as genital herpes, chlamydia, or AIDS;
- Having had several births;
- Poor personal hygiene;
- Prolonged use of oral contraceptives for more than 10 years;
- Use of immunosuppressive drugs or corticosteroids, in case of Lupus;
- Exposure to ionizing radiation;
- You have already had a disease called squamous dysplasia of the vulva or vagina;
- Low intake of vitamin A, C, beta-carotene and folic acid.
In addition, it is important to remember that adenocarcinoma, endometriosis, family history and smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages also increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
HPV infection can have spontaneous remission, in which case it has no symptoms, however, in some cases it can cause injuries with a high chance of becoming malignant. As the disease progresses, the main symptoms that the cancer has developed are vaginal bleeding, discharge and pelvic pain. Learn to identify the symptoms of cervical cancer.
How to prevent
The main way to prevent cervical cancer is to avoid HPV infection or to identify and treat the disease early on, and the initial diagnosis is possible by performing the preventive exam, the Pap smear. The evolution of HPV is slow and can take between 15 and 20 years for the virus to cause cancer, which is why follow-up with the gynecologist and the appropriate treatment of the disease are effective in preventing complications and preventing cancer. Learn how to treat HPV.
So, you should go to the gynecologist to have a pap smear at least once a year, in addition to taking the HPV vaccine. Quitting smoking, always using condoms in intimate relationships and having good intimate hygiene are also measures that help prevent this type of cancer. Having healthy lifestyle habits and exercising regularly also helps to protect you from cervical cancer.
Types of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer can be classified as:
- Tx: Primary tumor not identified;
- T0: Without evidence of the primary tumor;
- Tis or 0: Carcinoma in situ.
Stage 1:
- T1 or I: Cervical carcinoma in the uterus only;
- T1 a or IA: Invasive carcinoma, diagnosed only by microscopy;
- T1 a1 or IA1: Stromal invasion up to 3 mm deep or up to 7 mm horizontally;
- T1 a2 or IA2: Stromal invasion between 3 and 5 mm deep or up to 7 mm horizontally;
- T1b or IB: Clinically visible lesion, only on the cervix, or microscopic lesion greater than T1a2 or IA2;
- T1b1 or IB1: Clinically visible lesion 4 cm or less in its largest dimension;
- T1b2 IB2: Clinically visible lesion larger than 4 cm in its largest dimension.
Stage 2:
- T2 or II: Tumor found inside and outside the uterus, but does not reach the pelvic wall or the lower third of the vagina;
- T2a or IIA: Without invasion of the parametrium;
- T2b or IIB: Invasion of the parametrium.
Stage 3:
- T3 or III: Tumor that extends to the pelvic wall, compromises the lower part of the vagina, or causes changes in the kidneys;
- T3a or IIIA: Tumor that affects the lower third of the vagina, without extension to the pelvic wall;
- T3b or IIIB: Tumor that extends to the pelvic wall, or causes changes in the kidneys
Stage 4:
- T4 or IVA: Tumor that invades the bladder or rectal mucosa, or that extends beyond the pelvis.
In addition to knowing the type of cervical cancer that the person has, it is also important to know if there are affected lymph nodes and metastases or not, because this determines what type of treatment the person has. Find out how cervical cancer treatment is done.