Cervical cancer

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Cervical biopsy	Cervical cancer	Cervical cancer	Cervical neoplasia
The Pap smear

Cancer - cervix

Most ot the time, early cervical cancer has no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur can include:

• Continuous vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause
• Periods become heavier and last longer than usual

Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Pelvic pain
• Back pain
• Leg pain
• Single swollen leg
• Heavy bleeding from the vagina
• Leaking of urine or feces from the vagina
• Bone fractures

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

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 magnification. This is called colposcopy. Pieces of tissue are surgically removed (biopsied) during this procedure and sent to a laboratory for examination.  

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. Tests may include:

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

Review Date: 06/09/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.