Cervical

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the narrow opening into the uterus from the vagina. Most cervical cancers (80-90%) are squamous cell cancers. Adenocarcinoma is the second most common type of cervical cancer (10-20%). Adenocarcinoma develops from the glands that produce mucus in the endocervix.

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. This condition can be detected by a Pap smear and is treatable. The sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in about 99% of cervical cancers.

There are over 100 different types of HPV, most of which are considered low-risk and typically resolve on their own. High-risk HPV types may cause cervical cell abnormalities or cancer. More than 70% of cervical cancer cases can be attributed to two high- risk types of the virus, HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Cancer of the cervix tends to occur during midlife. Half of the women diagnosed with the disease are between 35 and 55 years of age. It rarely affects women under age 20, and approximately 20 percent of diagnoses are made in women older than 65.

Treatment options for Cervical Cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and clinical trials.

Surgery: is often the main treatment for women with early-stage cancer of the cervix. Depending on the extent of the cancer, surgical options may include: conization, total hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy, modified radical hysterectomy, pelvic exenteration, cryosurgery, or laser surgery.

Radiation: is as effective as surgery for early-stage cancer and may be used as an alternative to or in combination with surgery. Radiotherapy is usually used to treat larger tumors in the cervix (tumors over 4cm).

Chemoradiation: radiotherapy is often given in combination with chemotherapy treatment for larger tumors, in order to increase the effectiveness of the radiation treatment.

Chemotherapy: is given to destroy cancer that remains after surgery (adjuvant therapy), to treat recurrent cervical cancer, and to treat cancer that has spread to more distant parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or distant lymph nodes. Treatment may include the FDA approved drugs Avastin, Bevacizumab, Blenoxane, Cisplatin, Hycamtin, Platinol-AQ, or Topotecan.

National Cancer Institute clinical trials for cervical cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/type/cervical

National Institutes of Health
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?term=cervical+cancer

Web MD clinical trial information
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-clinical-trials

Center Watch Trial Service
https://www.centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/condition/30/cervical-cancer

Additional Educational Resources for cervical cancer from the National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org/index.php/materials

Macmillan Cancer Support
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Cervix/Cervicalcancer.aspx

FDA Grants Pembrolizumab Priority Review in Cervical Cancer
March, 2018
http://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/fda-grants-pembrolizumab-priority-review-in-cervical-cancer

FDA Grants Pembrolizumab Priority Review in Cervical Cancer
March, 2018
http://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/fda-grants-pembrolizumab-priority-review-in-cervical-cancer

FDA Approves Avastin to treat Patients with Aggressive and Late-Stage Cervical Cancer
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm410121.htm

Bevacizumab significantly improves survival for patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/newsfromnci/2013/GOG240News

Recent news articles from MNT
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/cervical_cancer

ScienceDaily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/cervical_cancer/

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-new-research

National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org/

Millions Given Access to Breast, Cervical Cancer Screening
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_147740.html

Imerman Angels (to connect directly with another survivor or caregiver through an organization that creates personal, one-on-one connections among patients, survivors, and caregivers)
http://www.imermanangels.org

Fighting Chance (free counseling service for cancer patients and caregivers).
http://fightingchance.org/resourceGuide.shtml

National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org/

Cancer Support Community
http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/About-Cancer/Types-of-Cancer/Cervical

Foundation for Women’s Cancer
http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/

Cervical Cancer Support Group
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Cervical-Cancer/support-group