Cervical Cancer

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

Carcinoma of the cervix is the most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide.

On average, cervical cancer takes at least a decade to develop from a focus of a cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the primary cause.

SCC of the cervix occurs almost exclusively in:

• women who have been sexually active due to exposure to HPV
• but can occur in the abscence of penetrative sex.

Question 2

Clinical presentation

Answer 2

Many pts with cervical cancer are asymptomatic

• when early symptoms do arise they are often dismissed as of little consequence.

Symptoms, if present, may be:

vaginal bleeding, esp. postcoital bleeding, intermenstrual

vaginal discharge

symptoms of advanced disease e.g.

• vaginal urine or flatus
• weakness