Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, the mortality rate has dropped significantly over the last four decades due to the growing number of women getting routine Pap tests that can detect precancerous cells before they become malignant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and nearly 4,000 women will die from the disease.
Causes of Cervical Cancer
According to the National Institute of Health, cervical cancer is caused by various types of a virus (spread through sexual contact) called human papillomaviruses HPV. Most of the time women are able to fight off the virus, but it occasionally leads to cancer.
Diagnosing Cervical Cancer
The NIH says it can take many years for normal cells in the cervix to develop into cancer cells. In its early stages, cervical cancer may not present any symptoms. But as the disease progresses, you may experience vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
Stage III Cervical Cancer
Stage III cervical cancer is divided into two sub-stages depending on how far the cancer has spread.
In stage IIIA the cancer has moved to the lower part of the vagina but has not yet reached the pelvic wall.
In stage IIIB the malignancy has spread to the pelvic wall and/or it has become large enough to obstruct the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. This can cause the kidneys to swell and not function properly.
Stage IV Cervical Cancer
Stage IV cervical cancer is also separated into two categories. In stage IVA, cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum and could also be in the pelvic lymph nodes.
By the time cervical cancer has reached late stage IV or stage IVB the malignancy has moved into other areas of the body. There may be cancer in the abdomen, liver, lungs or intestinal tract.
Hysterectomy and Advanced Cervical Cancer
A radical hysterectomy may be performed as therapy for later stage cervical cancer. During this procedure, the uterus and much of the neighboring tissue, including the upper section of the vagina and internal lymph nodes are removed.
In extreme cases, all of the organs in the pelvis, including the rectum and the bladder are removed.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
Radiation treatments are commonly used when cervical cancer has spread beyond the pelvis or a treated malignancy has returned.
Chemotherapy drugs may also be used to help fight late stage cervical cancer. The drugs could be pills or medicines given through an IV (intravenous) tube.
Prognosis
The American Cancer Society says the overall (all stages combined) five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is about 71 percent.
The National Cancer Institute says for women with later stage cervical cancer the five-year survival rate can be as high as 57 percent or as low as 17 percent depending on the exact level of advancement.
Tags: cancer spread, cervical cancer, cervical cancer, stage cervical, Cancer Stage, Cancer Stage cervical, cervical cancer