Is Remission Possible in Cervical Cancer?
The prognosis for a woman with cervical cancer depends largely on early diagnosis. When the cancer is caught early enough, before it has spread outside the cervix, a cure, or remission, is quite possible. If the cancer has spread beyond the cervix, remission is less likely but still possible.
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Definition
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Cervical cancer is cancer that forms in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus with the vagina. Most cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease. The Centers for Disease Control says that at least half of sexually active people will have HPV during their lifetimes.
Symptoms
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Cervical cancer generally presents no symptoms early in its development. The most frequent symptoms of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding or heavy discharge. Other symptoms include pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor. You may not have cancer, but only a doctor can determine what is causing your symptoms.
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Diagnosis
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All sexually active women should have a Pap test every year. A Pap test looks for changes in the cells of the cervix. During a Pap test, a doctor collects cells from your cervix and sends them to a laboratory for examination.
If abnormalities are found, your doctor will usually order a biopsy. During a biopsy, a gynecologist will remove a small amount of tissue for a more thorough examination.
If the biopsy reveals cancer, your doctor will determine its size and exact location and what stage the cancer is in. Further testing may be needed to make these determinations.
Stages and Treatment
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Cervical cancer has five stages, and treatment options will depend on what stage you have. In Stage 0, cancer cells are located only on the surface of the cervix. In Stage 1, the cancer is contained to the cervix. In Stage 2, it has spread outside the cervix, but not to pelvic walls or the vagina. In Stage 3, it has spread to the lower part of the vagina or the pelvic wall. In Stage 4, the cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum or to other parts of the body.
Possible treatments for cervical cancer include several types of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the stage of the cancer and whether you want to have children after your treatment, you and your doctor may opt for a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix and sometimes ovaries and fallopian tubes) or a more conservative surgery that can preserve your childbearing options.
Prognosis
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The prognosis for a woman with cervical cancer depends on the stage of the cancer at the time of its discovery.
The American Cancer Society says the chance of five-year survival for a woman with Stage 1 cervical cancer ranges from 80 to 95 percent. For Stage 2, the chance of five-year survival ranges from 75 to 78 percent. For Stage 3, the chance is about 47 to 50 percent, and for Stage 4, it drops to 20 to 30 percent.
Prevention
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Since 2006, a vaccine named Gardasil has been available to prevent infection with the strains of the HPV virus that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the vaccine for all 11- and 12-year-old girls. Vaccination can start as early as age 9. The CDC also recommends the vaccine for girls and women between the ages of 13 and 26 who have not been previously vaccinated. The vaccine is delivered in a series of three shots. All three are necessary to ensure the vaccine's effectiveness.
Abstaining from sexual relations will also prevent infection of HPV and the risk of cervical cancer associated with it.
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