Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. In its early stages, cervical cancer often presents no symptoms. Symptoms typically appear once the cancer has progressed and may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, bloody vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, and back pain.
Causes of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), especially types 16 and 18. While most HPV infections do not lead to cancer, persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains can cause changes in cervical epithelial cells, which may eventually become cancerous if the body is unable to clear the virus.
Other risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing cervical cancer include:
- Early onset of sexual activity
- Multiple sexual partners
- Smoking
- Long-term use of oral contraceptives
- Being overweight
- Family history of cervical cancer
Cervical Cancer Screening
Screening is the most effective way to detect cervical cancer in its early stages, significantly increasing the chances of successful treatment. Screening methods include the Pap smear and the HPV DNA test.
Treatment in conventional medicine depends on the stage of the disease and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches.
Treatment of Early-Stage Cervical Cancer
In early-stage cervical cancer, treatment typically involves surgery to remove all cancerous cells. Common surgical options include:
- Excisional surgery: Surgical removal of all cancerous tissue using a scalpel or laser.
- Incisional biopsy: Removing a tissue sample from the cervix for pathological examination.
Treatment of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
For patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, treatment may involve a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Treatment of Metastatic Cervical Cancer
In metastatic cases, treatment may include chemotherapy in combination with other therapies, such as hormone therapy or immunotherapy.
Multimodal Treatment
Multimodal treatment involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and is often more effective than any single treatment modality.
Side Effects of Cervical Cancer Treatment
Treatment may cause various side effects, depending on the method and stage of cancer:
Surgical side effects:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Postoperative wound issues
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Urinary incontinence
Radiation therapy side effects:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Numbness
- Dry mouth
- Irritable bowel symptoms
- Urinary difficulties
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Heart failure
- Lung disease
Chemotherapy side effects:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Increased infection risk
- Hepatitis
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Secondary cancers
Prognosis by Stage
The likelihood of cure depends on the stage of cervical cancer:
- Early-stage: Very high chance of cure if treated promptly.
- Locally advanced stage: Prognosis depends on severity; some may achieve remission, while many survive for years.
- Metastatic stage: Very low chance of cure; most patients may survive only a few months.
Estimated cure rates by stage:
- Stage IA1: 99%
- Stage IA2: 97%
- Stage IB1: 95%
- Stage IB2: 85%
- Stage IIA: 75%
- Stage IIB: 65%
- Stage IIIA: 50%
- Stage IIIB: 30%
- Stage IIIC: 15%
- Stage IVA: 5%
- Stage IVB: 0%
Integrative Oncology in Cervical Cancer
Integrative oncology combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies to treat the patient holistically—addressing the body, mind, and spirit. This approach may improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Enhancing cure rates: While conventional treatments aim to eradicate cancer cells, they can cause severe side effects. Integrative medicine may help mitigate these side effects and support the immune system.
- Improving quality of life: Integrative oncology may relieve side effects such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and insomnia. It may also enhance psychological well-being, helping patients cope better during treatment.
Examples of integrative approaches include:
- Surgery combined with herbal medicine: Herbs like Andrographis, Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum), medicinal mushroom extracts, and ginseng may help reduce postoperative pain, inflammation, and infection risk.
- Radiation therapy with phytochemicals: Compounds like curcumin have shown to improve radiation response.
- Chemotherapy or targeted therapy with complementary methods: Acupuncture, massage, yoga, and intravenous vitamins or nutrients may alleviate side effects and enhance treatment efficacy.
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33924844/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38067297/
- National Cancer Institute: HPV and Cancer
- WHO: Human papillomavirus and cancer
- Mayo Clinic: HPV infection
- PubMed ID: 33924844
- PubMed ID: 38067297
