CERTIFICATE (CERVIX) CANCER

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It is the most common female organ cancer worldwide. Its incidence is related to the development level of the country. Since cervical cancer screening test (SMR) is widely applied in developed countries and pre-cancerous lesions are detected more frequently, cervical cancer comes after uterine cancer in terms of incidence. However, since smear testing is not widely applied in underdeveloped countries, cervical cancer is the most common female organ cancer. This actually shows that cervical cancer in women is a cancer that can be significantly prevented or diagnosed early by having regular smear tests. Because it takes approximately 8-12 years for cancerous lesions to turn into cancer. Although the average age of occurrence of the disease is 52, its incidence increases between the ages of 35-39 and 60-64.

What are the risk factors?

1- The woman has had Human Papilloma Virus infection (HPV): Infections, especially with the types with high carcinogenic properties (type 16, 18, etc.), increase the risk.

2- Smoking: The risk is increased in both active and passive smokers.

3- Having a suppressed immune system

What are the main complaints and findings?

1- The most common complaint is abnormal bleeding and bloody discharge. Bloody discharge after intercourse is noteworthy. Sometimes it can also be seen as bleeding after menopause. Smelly, dirty bleeding discharge is seen in advanced stage cervical cancers.

2- Patients may develop anemia due to bleeding.

3- In advanced stage cases, lower abdominal pain may be observed.

4- In the majority of patients, there is a visible lesion in the cervix during examination. In a small portion (cancers that develop in the cervical canal), no lesions are visible during examination.

5- In advanced stages of the disease, swelling of the kidneys (hydronephrosis) and kidney failure may develop as a result of obstruction of the lower urinary tract.

How is the diagnosis made?

In patients with abnormal smear test colposcopic examination and biopsies should be performed from suspicious areas. In cases where the pathological diagnosis is incompatible with the smear, the diagnosis can be made by removing the cervix slightly.

In patients with visible lesions during examination, a direct biopsy is performed and sent to the pathology laboratory.

In patients with cancer as a result of biopsy, a detailed examination is performed to determine the stage of the disease. This examination determines the extent of the disease and the stage it has entered (Rahim ve in ovarian cancer (The extent of the disease can be determined during surgery).

How is it treated?

In the early stages of the disease, surgical treatment is possible. Depending on the stage of the disease and the woman's desire for a child; Part of the cervix or the entire uterus is removed. During this period, the patient's chance of living long is very high. Ovaries are not removed in women who have not reached menopause. If necessary, postoperative radiation therapy (radiotherapy) may be given.

For advanced disease patients who have missed the chance for surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and drug therapy (chemotherapy) are applied. These patients have less chance of living longer than the previous group.