Cervical Cancer Tests

cervical cancer test

Pre-cancerous changes of the cervix and cervical cancer cannot be seen with the naked eye. Special tests and tools are needed to detect such conditions.

Screening methods to find cervical changes that may lead to cervical cancer include the Pap test and HPV testing. Screening may find cancers early, when they are most treatable.

Pap smears screen for pre-cancers and cancer, but do not offer the final diagnosis. If abnormal changes are found, the cervix is usually examined under intensification. This is called colposcopy. Pieces of tissue are surgically removed (biopsied) during this procedure and sent to a laboratory for examination.  

cone biopsy of the cervix

Other tests may include:

• Endocervical curettage (ECC) to examine the opening of the cervix
• Cone biopsy

If the woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, the health care provider will order more tests to determine how far the cancer has spread. This is called staging. 

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

Cervical Cancer Tests may include:

•   CT scan
•     Cystoscopy
•     MRI
•     Chest x-ray
•     Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

Cervical Cancer Signs and Symptoms

In early stages, cervical cancer may completely show no sign. Sometimes a moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are the symptoms.  When the medical condition has become worse and reach a dangerous stage, such symptoms may be arising:

•     Loss of appetite
•     Weight loss
•     Fatigue
•     Abnormal bleeding
•     Heavier, long lasting period
•     Pelvic Pain
•      Back Pain
•      Leg Pain
•     Single swollen leg
•     Leaking of urine or feces from the vagina
•     Bone fractures

Abnormal bleeding may occur:

•     Between menstrual periods
•     After menopause
•     After intercourse
•     After a pelvic examination

These symptoms are not always a sign of cervical cancer. They can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other conditions. Doctor can determine the cause of these symptoms.

Source:

* ehealthmd

* wikipedia

Cervical Cancer

Cervix is the narrow portion of the uterus where it links with the top of the vagina. Its shape is cylindrical or conical and juts through the upper front vaginal wall. In Latin, Cervix means neck.

The narrow opening of the cervix is called the os. The cervical os allows menstrual blood to flow out from the vagina during menstruation. 

During pregnancy the cervical os closes to help keep the fetus in the uterus until birth. Another important function of the cervix occurs during labor when the cervix dilates, or widens, to allow the passage of the fetus from the uterus to the vagina.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix. It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms in the early stages. In advanced stages it may cause vaginal bleeding or even there is no signs at all. Abnormal cervical cells are the first sign of cervical cancer. Cervical cells multiply uncontrollably when cervical cancer occurs and sometimes harms other healthy organs. This unusual condition of the cervix can be found with regular Pap smear tests (a procedure in which cells are wisped from the cervix and examined at under a microscope).

There are several risk factors that can lead to cervical cancer. It involved medical history, lifestyle and especially sexual habits. However, in many cases, the main cause of cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Treatment for Cervical cancer will depends on the stage and general health. Combination of treatments may also be applied. Some of the treatments are including: Surgery, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy.

Like most types of cancer, cervical cancer patients have the best chance for recovery when the disease is caught early.