Cervical Cancer Causes & Surgical Treatment

Chronic infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is almost inevitably followed by cervical cancer, which is both preventable by vaccination and screening (Pap smear/HPV test), starting at age 21-25 years. In early cervical cancer, surgery (e.g., hysterectomy, cone biopsy) is required whereas in the advanced disease, radiation and chemotherapy are required.

According to Dr. Sandeep Nayak,
Cervical cancer was found to be mostly preventable and very treatable. It is not so important to wait and wait until the disease manifests itself but to screen frequently before it can move past this stage.

Knowing what causes cervical cancer will enable women to take positive measures with regards to avoiding the disease before it actually gets time to establish itself.

• HPV Infection: More than 99% of cervical cancer is directly associated with persistent infection of high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus especially HPV 16 and HPV 18 which are the most dangerous.
• Weakened Immune System: So, having a weakened immunity because of HIV or a long course of immunosuppressive medication, women are much less capable of clearing HPV by themselves among the cervical cells.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking subjects cervical cells to tobacco carcinogenic chemicals, which kill cellular DNA and increase the chances of HPV infection developing into complete cervical cancer by two times.
• Delayed or No Screening: Women who have never undergone Pap smear examination or not taking regular screening tests are much more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced and more difficult to treat stage.

To the genetic risk factors caregivers, knowing the actual hereditary nature of cervical cancer may help about the misconceptions of the disease and make preventive choices.

Frequent screening of the cervical cancer and timely surgical cure offers the women the best opportunity of full healing and survival.

• Pap smear Test: A pap smear is the best early detection tool that is offered to women because a pap smear is taken every three years to identify abnormal cell changes in the cervix before it turns into a cancerous condition.
• HPV DNA Test: An HPV test is recommended every five years and detects high-risk strains of the virus that are found in the cervical cells and an HPV test is usually accompanied by a Pap smear as a test to improve the accuracy of screening.
• Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy: Minimally invasive surgery to remove the uterus and cervix with small incisions is done on women with early cervical cancer to provide them with a quicker recovery and less pain in the post-operative period.
• Robotic Cervical Surgery: Robotic-assisted surgery offers better accuracy in the excision of cervical tumours around the vulnerable pelvis, greatly minimizing the rate of complications in complicated or recurring cases.

For advanced minimally invasive surgical options in gynecologic cancers, you can explore detailed information about laparoscopy and its role in modern cancer treatment.

Women with abnormal bleeding, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and even a history of abnormal Pap smear results should not be taken to a standard gynaecology clinic but should receive specialist oncological assessment. The treatment of cervical cancer at stage one or two has made tremendous improvements on the outcomes of the cancer at a later stage.

In Jayanagar, Bangalore, in MACS Clinic, Dr. Sandeep Nayak and his oncology team conduct laparoscopic and robotic cervical cancer surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure and creates a precise and complete tumour resection without damaging the surrounding structures of the pelvis and maintaining quality of life wherever feasible.