Jul 31, 2007

Cervical Cancer Symptom

ll of the organs of the body are made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancerous. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. The most important thing is that cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are not a threat to life. Polyps, cysts, and genital warts <http://www.coolnurse.com/genital_warts.htm> are types of benign growths of the cervix.

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor. Cancer cells also can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the lymph system or the bloodstream. This is how cancer of the cervix can spread to other parts of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes, the rectum, the bladder, the bones of the spine, and the lungs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Like all other organs of the body, the cervix is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. Cancer of the uterine cervix, the portion of the uterus that is attached to the top of the vagina. Ninety percent of cervical cancers arise from the flattened or "squamous" cells covering the cervix. Most of the remaining 10% arise from the glandular, mucus-secreting cells of the cervical canal leading into the uterus.

According to The National Cancer Institute, the vast majority of cervical cancers can be prevented. Since the most common form of cervical cancer starts with preventable and easily detectable precancerous changes, there are two ways to prevent this disease.

Here is a diagram showing where your cervix is located. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.



What Are the Symptoms?

In its early stages, cervical cancer causes no pain or other symptoms. The first identifiable symptoms of the disease are likely to include:



  • Watery or bloody vaginal discharge, sometimes heavy and foul-smelling.

  • Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause; menstrual periods may be heavier and last longer than normal.

    If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, symptoms may include:

  • Difficult urination and possible kidney failure.

  • Painful urination, sometimes with blood in urine.

  • Dull backache or swelling in the legs.

  • Diarrhea, or pain or bleeding from the rectum upon defecation.

  • Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, and general feeling of illness.

    prostate cancer symptom

    The main symptoms are: difficulty passing urine, inability to urinate, passing urine often (particularly at night), weak or interrupted urine flow, pain when urinating, blood in the urine and pain in the lower back, hips and upper thighs. However, all of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions such as benign prostate enlargement. Men with any of these symptoms should consult their doctor.

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