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Cervical Cancer

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Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer; there are two types: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors for the development of cervical cancer include: contraction of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), smoking, lower SES, among others. HPV is the primary cause for cervical cancer, particularly subtypes 16 and 18. HPV infections are asymptomatic, with approximately 90% of the infections clearing within the first two years. HPV infections develop into cervical cancer if the infection persists long enough to cause abnormalities in the cervix. Methods have been developed to decrease the incidence of the disease including: cervical screening and vaccines. Radical Trachelectomy, Vaginal and Abdominal Hysterectomies are treatments of choice for women with cervical cancer. Despite the morbidity of this …show more content…
765). Squamous cell carcinomas account for the majority of cervical cancers, adenocarcinomas account for the remaining15-25% of cancer cases (Petignat & Roy, 2007, p. 765). The stage of cervical cancer is determined by the depth of the cancer invasion, tumor magnitude, and how far the disease has spread; staging is determined through a gynecological exam. Precancerous stages are detected by a Papanicolaou test (Pap Smear), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which allows the oncologist to determine the size and the extent of the disease (Petignat & Roy, 2007, p. 765). At the beginning of the disease development, the symptoms are asymptomatic, however, as the disease progresses symptoms include: bleeding, pain during intercourse, foul-smelling discharge, and back pain (Petignat & Roy, 2007). Tumors that have progressed should be assessed to ensure that it has not spread to the vagina, bladder, rectum, or any other organs of the

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