The uterus is made up of several parts: the body of the uterus that holds the future of child during pregnancy, and below the cervix, which makes communication between the uterine body and vagina. Cancers of the cervix and endometrium differs from all points of view.
Cervical cancer
After breast cancer, the most common cancer in women is cervical cancer. As with most cancers (90% of them), it is a carcinoma, which is a tumor that develops from the tissue covering called the epithelium.
Precancerous lesions
The appearance of this cancer is preceded by lesions called dysplasia (abnormal transformation ") of the cervix. The dysplasia can be detected early and can be treated, avoiding the progression to cancer. In the absence of therapy, these localized dysplasia may progress to cancer, which may, in 10-15 years, to expand to neighboring organs (vagina, bladder ...). In this way, the cancer becomes invasive.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for this cancer are known for a long time: an early sex life, increased number of partners, unprotected sex with a condom. These factors favor the occurrence of viral infections, mainly produced by human papillomatozei virus, they train the appearance of lesions known as warts, which marks the onset of the cancer process.
Symptoms
Often, not always by any sign. However, abnormal bleeding (uterine bleeding) after intercourse and whitish discharge (leukorrhea) with streaks of blood are signs that should alarm every woman. On gynecological examination, the doctor will appreciate the appearance of lesions and recommend, if necessary, with a smear screening.
Diagnosis
In case of revealing an abnormal smear should be performed a thorough examination of the cervix (colposcopy) to observe the cervix and suspicious areas to harvest tissue (biopsy). Examination of the tissue cells to evaluate whether lesions are benign, precancerous or cancerous.
Treatments
Depends on stage of the lesions:
in mere precancerous lesions, abnormal tissue is destroyed (laser destruction by refrigeration or electricity);
stage of precancerous lesions (dysplasia) severe, surgery-called conization - consists of the removal of a portion tapered to neck;
more advanced stage of cancer (invasive cancer), cancer treatment depend on the stage extension. Resorting to surgery, to radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy, used alone or in combination, depending on the situation.
