See Cancer Cervical and Cancer Carcinoma Uterine Fermentative programs.WombEncyclopedia Entry for Cervical Cancer :Cervical cancer - human papilloma virus (Papovavirus)Encyclopedia Entry for Cervical Cancer :Cervical cancer - screening and prevention. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is a common virus that spreads through sexual contact. Certain types of HPV are more likely to lead to cervical cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV. Other types of HPV cause genital warts. HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.A vaccine is available to protect against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is: Recommended for girls and women ages 9 through 26. Given as 2 shots in girls ages 9 through 14, and as 3 shots in teens older than 14 years. Best for girls to get by age 11 or before becoming sexually active. However, girls and younger women who are already sexually active can still be protected by the vaccine if they've never been infected. These safer sex practices can also help reduce your risk of getting HPV and cervical cancer: Always use condoms. But be aware that condoms cannot fully protect you. This is because the virus or warts can also be on the nearby skin. Have only one sexual partner, whom you know is infection-free. Limit the number of sexual partners you have over time. DO NOT get involved with partners who take part in high-risk sexual activities. DO NOT smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of getting cervical cancer.Cervical cancer often develops slowly. It starts as precancerous changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia can be detected by a medical test called a Pap smear. Dysplasia is fully treatable. That is why it is important for women to get regular Pap smears, so that precancerous cells can be removed before they can become cancer. Pap smear screening should start at age 21. After the first test: Women ages 21 through 29 should have a Pap smear every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended for this age group. Women ages 30 through 65 should be screened with either a Pap smear every 3 years or the HPV test every 5 years. If you or your sexual partner has other new partners, you should have a Pap smear every 3 years. Women ages 65 through 70 can stop having Pap smears as long as they have had 3 normal tests within the past 10 years. Women who have been treated for precancer (cervical dysplasia) should continue to have Pap smears for 20 years after treatment or until age 65, whichever is longer. Talk with your provider about how often you should have a Pap smear or HPV test.Cancer cervix - screening; HPV - cervical cancer screening; Dysplasia - cervical cancer screening; Cervical cancer - HPV vaccine.Pap smear Pap smear.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Human papillomavirus (HPV). Clinician factsheets and guidance. www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/clinician-factsheet.html. Updated December 7, 2017. Accessed December 11, 2017. Salcedo MP, Baker ES, Schmeler KM. Intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract (cervix, vagina, vulva): etiology, screening, diagnosis, management.Encyclopedia Entry for Cervical Cancer :Cervical cancer. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. It is much less common in the United States because of the routine use of Pap smears. Pap smear Cervical cancer starts in the cells on the surface of the cervix. There are two types of cells on the surface of the cervix, squamous and columnar. Most cervical cancers are from squamous cells. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. This condition can be detected by a Pap smear and is 100% treatable. It can take years for dysplasia to develop into cervical cancer. Most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer today have not had regular Pap smears, or they have not followed up on abnormal Pap smear results. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse. There are many different types (strains) of HPV. Some strains lead to cervical cancer. Other strains can cause genital warts. Others do not cause any problems at all. A woman's sexual habits and patterns can increase her risk of developing cervical cancer. Risky sexual practices include: Having sex at an early age Having multiple sexual partners Having a partner or many partners who take part in high-risk sexual activities Other risk factors for cervical cancer include: Not getting the HPV vaccine Being economically disadvantaged Having a mother who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy in the early 1960s to prevent miscarriage Having a weakened immune system.Most of the time, early cervical cancer has no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur include: Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause Vaginal discharge that does not stop, and may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling Periods that become heavier and last longer than usual Cervical cancer may spread to the bladder, intestines, lungs, and liver. Often, there are no problems until the cancer is advanced and has spread. Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include: Back pain Bone pain or fractures Fatigue Leaking of urine or feces from the vagina Leg pain Loss of appetite Pelvic pain Single swollen leg Weight loss.Precancerous changes of the cervix and cervical cancer cannot be seen with the naked eye. Special tests and tools are needed to spot such conditions: A Pap smear screens for precancers and cancer, but does not make a final diagnosis. Depending on your age, the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test may be done along with a Pap test. Or it may be used after a woman has had an abnormal Pap test result. It may also be used as the first test. Talk to your health care provider about which test or tests are right for you. If abnormal changes are found, the cervix is usually examined under magnification. This procedure is called colposcopy. Pieces of tissue are removed (biopsied) during this procedure. This tissue is then sent to a lab for examination. A procedure called a cone biopsy may also be done. Cervical biopsy Cold cone biopsy If cervical cancer is diagnosed, the provider will order more tests. These help determine how far the cancer has spread. This is called staging. Tests may include: Chest x-ray CT scan of the pelvis Cystoscopy Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) MRI of the pelvis.Treatment of cervical cancer depends on: The stage of the cancer The size and shape of the tumor The woman's age and general health Her desire to have children in the future Early cervical cancer can be cured by removing or destroying the precancerous or cancerous tissue. This is why routine Pap smears are so important to prevent cervical cancer. There are surgical ways to do this without removing the uterus or damaging the cervix, so that a woman can still have children in the future. Types of surgery for early cervical cancer include: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): uses electricity to remove abnormal tissue Cryotherapy: freezes abnormal cells Laser therapy: uses light to burn abnormal tissue A hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus but not the ovaries) is not often done for cervical cancer that has not spread. It may be done in women who have had repeated LEEP procedures. Treatment for more advanced cervical cancer may include: Radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and much of the surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes and the upper part of the vagina. Pelvic exenteration, an extreme type of surgery in which all of the organs of the pelvis, including the bladder and rectum, are removed. Radiation may be used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the cervix or cancer that has returned. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer. It may be given alone or with surgery or radiation.You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.How well the person does depends on many things, including: Type of cervical cancer Stage of cancer (how far it has spread) Age and general health If the cancer comes back after treatment Precancerous conditions can be completely cured when followed up and treated properly. Most women are alive in 5 years (5-year survival rate) for cancer that has spread to the inside of the cervix walls but not outside the cervix area. The 5-year survival rate falls as the cancer spreads outside the walls of the cervix into other areas.Complications can include: Risk of the cancer coming back in women who have treatment to save the uterus Problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder function after surgery or radiation.Call your provider if you: Have not had regular Pap smears Have abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.Cervical cancer can be prevented by doing the following: Get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine prevents most types of HPV infection that cause cervical cancer. Your provider can tell you if the vaccine is right for you. Practice safer sex. Using condoms during sex reduces the risk for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Limit the number of sexual partners you have. Avoid partners who are active in high-risk sexual behaviors. Get Pap smears as often as your provider recommends. Pap smears can help detect early changes, which can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. Get the HPV test if recommended by your provider. It can be used along with the Pap test to screen for cervical cancer in women 30 years and older. If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases your chance of getting cervical cancer.Cancer - cervix; Cervical cancer - HPV; Cervical cancer - dysplasia.Hysterectomy - abdominal - discharge Hysterectomy - laparoscopic - discharge Hysterectomy - vaginal - discharge Pelvic radiation - discharge.Cervical cancer Cervical cancer Cervical neoplasia Cervical neoplasia Pap smear Pap smear Cervical biopsy Cervical biopsy Cold cone biopsy Cold cone biopsy Cervical cancer Cervical cancer Pap smears and cervical cancer Pap smears and cervical cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee on Adolescent Health Care, Immunization Expert Work Group. Committee Opinion Number 704, June 2017. www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Adolescent-Health-Care/Human-Papillomavirus-Vaccination. Accessed December 11, 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Human papillomavirus (HPV). Clinician factsheets and guidance. www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/clinician-factsheet.html. Updated August 21, 2017. Accessed December 14, 2017. Hacker NF. Cervical dysplasia and cancer.Encyclopedia Entry for Cervical Cancer :Cervical Cancer. Can be caused by Human Papilloma virus (HPV)Information from Marcello Allegretti.