Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Treatment consists of surgery (including local excision) in early stages and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease.

Pap smear screening can identify potentially precancerous changes. Treatment of high grade changes can prevent the development of cancer.

The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely asymptomatic. Vaginal bleeding, contact bleeding or (rarely) a vaginal mass may indicate the presence of malignancy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_cancer

Nancy R. Berman (Millennium Medical Group, PC)

Ms. Berman told us that research has determined that persistent oncogenic HPV infection is necessary for the development of cervical cancer. Additionally, a large percentage of vaginal, vulvar, anal, and male external genital cancers are caused by HPV infection. Prevalence data show that by the age of 50, 80% of women will have been infected with some type of HPV.

She told us about rationale for widespread vaccination against HPV. She said, “Because cervical cancer has a long preinvasive stage, it is preventable. Screening with a Pap test or with Pap plus HPV DNA tests in women 30 years and older is meant to detect high-grade disease, which is a true cervical cancer precursor, so that it can be treated before it has a chance to progress to invasive cancer.”

Article courtesy of
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582760