Cervical Bleeding

Cervical cancer: malignant tumors of the cervix or the cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is at an advanced stage, which is cancer of the cervix uteri in the center of intense screening efforts using the test Pap. In developed countries, the widespread use of screening programs for cervical cancer has decreased the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the cervix. The body (upper part) of the uterus, is where the fetus develops. The cervix connects the body of the uterus into the vagina (birth canal). Part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The next part of the vagina is the ectocervix (or ectocervix). The place where these 2 parts meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers start in the processing area.

About 85% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which develop in the scales, flat cells skinlike covering the cervix. Most other cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from gland cells, or adenosquamous carcinomas, which develop from a combination of cell types.

The symptoms of cervical cancer

Symptoms generally appear as abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this occurs, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, which can start and stop between regular menstrual periods or may occur after sexual intercourse.

Vaginal bleeding is not normal, or a change in your menstrual cycle you can not explain.

periods last longer and are heavier than before. Bleeding after intercourse, douching or a pelvic exam.

Pain during urination: bladder pain or pain during urination can be a symptom of cancer of the cervix advanced. This symptom of cervical cancer of the uterus usually occurs when the cancer has spread to the bladder.

Causes of cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix most often begins in thin, flat cells that line the bottom of the cervix (squamous cell). Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for about 80 percent of cancers of the cervix. Cancer of the cervix can also occur in the glandular cells lining the upper part of the cervix.

Genetic material that comes from certain types of HPV has been found in cervical tissues that show cancerous or precancerous changes.

Most cervical cancers are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You get HPV by having sex with someone who has. There are several types of HPV. Not all types of HPV cause cancer of the cervix. Some of them can cause genital warts, but other types may not cause symptoms.

The virus is a sexually transmitted disease. There are over 50 types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that infect humans. Types 6 and 11 usually cause warts, while types 16, 18, 31 and 33 usually result in high grade cervical dysplasia (CIN-2 and CIN-3) and carcinomas.

Over 90 percent of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and researchers believe that cancer can be a sexually transmitted disease. There is much evidence that cervical carcinoma is related to sexually transmitted organisms.

Chemical exposure: Women working on farms or in manufacturing may be exposed to chemicals that may increase their risk of cancer of the cervix.

Women who have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, often take drugs that suppress the body's natural immunity and its ability to fight disease. These women also have an increased risk of cancer of the cervix and should be closely monitored by their gynecologist for the development of precancerous changes in the cervix.