Cervical cancer

Growth of malignant cells in the lower part of the uterus that overlooks the vagina, called the cervix.
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women worldwide. In 2018, about 570.000 new cases were diagnosed, accounting for 6.6% of cancers in women.

It is usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is considered a sexually transmitted virus. The risk of developing it increases in smokers, women who have had more than one child (multiparous), if they follow prolonged contraceptive treatment and women with HIV.

Initially it does not cause symptoms. When it does, it is usually in the form of vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic pain. It may also be accompanied by brownish-watery discharge, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding after intercourse.

It is diagnosed at gynaecological check-ups by vaginal and cervical examination, and by visualisation of the lesion. It may be necessary to perform a cervical cytology, take a sample to look for HPV, take a culture to rule out other genital infections, or take a biopsy of the cervix (biopsy). Sometimes a colposcopy to visualise the cervix with a magnifying lens, ultrasound, CT-scan or MRI may be necessary to complete the work-up.

Treatment options depend on the following: the type of cancer, the stage, the patient's age and her desire to have children. Five types of treatment are used, alone or in combination: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

The use of condoms during sexual intercourse, vaccination against HPV and regular cervical cytology and/or cervical HPV testing have proven to be the most effective mechanisms for reducing the risk of cervical cancer.