Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer

The cervix is an organ found in the female reproductive part that connects the uterus and the vagina. When there is an abnormal growth in this part of the body that becomes irrepressible, it is referred to as cervical cancer. ^[1]

Epidemiology

Cervical cancer ranks among the leading malignancies of females globally. The number of cervical cancer cases continues to climb in several developing nations. It is contrary in the United States where fewer cases are being recorded over the past years. Mortality seems to be highest among African Americans. ^[2]

Causes

Most are caused by a type of virus called human papillomavirus or HPV which is usually transmitted by sexual practices. Risk factors are being sexually active at a young age, having more than one sexual partner, using contraceptive pills for a long time and history of sexually transmitted diseases. Smoking and having numerous children are thought to make a woman more susceptible to the illness. ^[2]

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms are noticeable when the cancer grows large. A patient may observe vaginal bleeding that occurs in between menses or after having a sexual intercourse. ^[3] In some cases, there can be vaginal discomfort, pain during urination or vaginal discharge which is foul-smelling. When the cancer has invaded other adjacent parts, symptoms like constipation, leg swelling and pain can be discernible. ^[2]

Diagnosis

After history taking and physical examination, a patient often undergoes Pap test wherein some cells are scraped from the cervix to be observed for abnormalities. A physician may also get a tissue sample in a process called biopsy or the cervix is observed using a colposcope.  Possible spread of cancer is determined through imaging studies like chest xray, CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, MRI or positron-emission tomography (PET). ^[2]

Treatment

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. For early stages, surgery is the first line choice usually in the form of simple hysterectomy. ^[4] For higher stages, combination treatment is frequently the modality of choice such as radiation combined with chemotherapy. Proper nutrition and social support are essential.

References:

1.      http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical

2.      http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/253513-overview#aw2aab6b2b4

3.      http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-topic-overview

4.      http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer/DS00167/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
 

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda, Simoncini Cancer Therapy) [1, 21, 22]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence does not support claims that baking soda helps to treat cancer in any way.)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence

Selenium Supplement [1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. IMPORTANT: Selenium is toxic in high doses. Massive overdoses can cause kidney failure, breathing difficulty and death. Selenium should only be taken at healthy levels which the body is able to tolerate.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Observational studies have shown that taking adequate daily amounts of selenium can help prevent cervical cancer. However, these are very unreliable studies, and more research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence

Mistletoe (Iscador, Viscum Album) [1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. WARNING: The mistletoe plant should NOT be eaten because it is poisonous. May cause seizures, coma and death. It should only be taken as a purified mistletoe extract, and only in recommended doses.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Studies on the effect of Mistletoe on Cervical Cancer have yielded mixed, conflicting results. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence

Milk Thistle [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early laboratory studies support claims that Milk Thistle helps slow tumor growth in cervical cancer. However, more research is needed to see if these results also apply to humans)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence

Vitamin C [23, 24,]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. 

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that vitamin c may be able to help treat cervical cancer. More studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Public Discussion