What is cervical cancer?
What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
How can the risk of cervical cancer be reduced?
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Why does cervical cancer recur?
How is relapsed cervical cancer treated?
What is the goal of treatment?
How may Hycamtin help me?
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a cancer that begins in the lining of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb). Cervical cancers typically take time to develop, making gradual precancerous changes that eventually turn into cancer. This process usually takes several years, but can sometimes happen in less than a year. [9]
There are 2 main types of cervical cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinomas account for 80% to 90% of cervical cancers. The cancer starts on the squamous cells that cover the surface of the endocervix [9]
- Adenocarcinomas account for 10% to 20% of cervical cancers. These cancer cells develop from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. This is becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years [9]
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What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
It is important to remember that risk factors increase the odds of getting a disease but do not guarantee it will occur.
The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). [9] It is estimated that more than 6 million women in the United States have HPV infection. However, not all women with HPV will develop cervical cancer. There are many types of HPV infection and certain types carry an increased risk of leading to cervical cancer.
Certain types of sexual behavior increase a woman's risk of getting HPV infection:
- Having sex at an early age
- Having many sexual partners
- Having sex with uncircumcised males
Other factors that may increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer include the following:
- Cigarette smoking
- Oral contraceptive use
- A weakened immune system
For more information about HPV and cervical cancer, visit the American Cancer Society's Web site.
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How can the risk of cervical cancer be reduced?
You can prevent most cervical cancers by avoiding exposure to HPV.
- Delay having sex if you are young
- Limit your number of sexual partners
- Avoid having sex with men with many other sexual partners
HPV may not have any visible symptoms, so a person may have the disease and pass it on without knowing it. The use of condoms will not completely protect against HPV.
Regular testing (such as a Pap test) is also an effective way to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer. These tests can detect HPV and precancers and allow you to begin treatment to stop the disease before it is fully developed.
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What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Unfortunately, cervical precancers and early cancers usually show no symptoms or signs. That is why it is important to see your doctor for regular screenings for cervical cancer. Possible signs of precancers or cervical cancers include the following:
- Unusual discharge from the vagina (separate from your normal monthly menstrual period)
- Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer or is heavier than usual
- Bleeding following sex, douching, or a pelvic exam
- Pain during intercourse
It's important to note that all of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
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Why does cervical cancer recur?
Recurrence (relapse) means a reappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. While most women will respond to initial therapy, disease recurrence is common.
A recurrence of cervical cancer is not the same thing as a new cancer, even if it is found in a new place in your body. So if cervical cancer cells appear on the liver, it is a recurrence of cervical cancer and not a new case of liver cancer. What matters is the type of cells that are found in a reappearance of cancer. If they are the same cells as the original tumor, it is a recurrence of the disease. Recurrent cervical cancers are classified by location: local or distant. [9]
- Local recurrence occurs when the cancer comes back in or very close to the same place as the original cervical cancer (in the pelvic organs near the cervix)
- Distant recurrence is when the cervical cancer spreads (metastasizes) to other tissues or organs far from the site of the original cancer
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How is relapsed cervical cancer treated?
Many of the same issues that affected treatment during your initial cancer therapy will be considered again when planning treatment for relapsed disease. Doctors may recommend second-line chemotherapy or additional surgery. Second-line chemotherapy may include drugs such as Hycamtin that were not used in the initial treatment plan. Some patients are re-treated with the same drugs they received during first-line chemotherapy. And for some patients, participation in clinical trials (where new drugs are tested) may be an option.
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What is the goal of treatment?
The main goal of therapy in relapsed cervical cancer is usually to extend survival by stabilizing the disease, slowing its progression, and minimizing treatment-related side effects. Hycamtin in combination with cisplatin is approved for the treatment of histologically confirmed Stage IV-B, recurrent, or persistent carcinoma of the cervix which is not amenable to curative treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy. However, for patients who are too ill to receive chemotherapy, the best plan may be to provide supportive care for symptoms and help maintain a satisfactory quality of life. Be sure to discuss the goal of your treatment with your health care team.
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How may Hycamtin help me?
Although the battle against cervical cancer may seem overwhelming, Hycamtin may help you fight back. In a randomized clinical study, the combination of Hycamtin plus cisplatin was found to increase survival versus cisplatin alone. [11]
Although Hycamtin often does not lead to remission, it may at least stabilize the disease and slow its progression. Of course, it's important to remember that all patients respond differently to therapy. Individual results may vary, so it is important to discuss with your doctor whether Hycamtin is right for you. For information about the side effects of Hycamtin, see side effects.
Remember, no one source can answer all your questions or replace the information provided by your doctors and nurses. This Web site is not intended to replace ongoing communication between you and your health care team.
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Important Safety Information
Use of Hycamtin
Hycamtin plus cisplatin is used for the treatment of cervical cancer, if it is widespread when first diagnosed, doesn’t go away with your first series of treatments, or comes back in a form that can’t be cured with surgery or radiation.
Reasons Not to Use Hycamtin
Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to Hycamtin, if you are pregnant, if you are breast-feeding, or if you have low blood counts.
Side Effects
Hycamtin can interfere with your body’s ability to make white and red blood cells. Your doctor may prescribe a supportive therapy to help your body make more blood cells.
Side effects often associated with the use of Hycamtin plus cisplatin included low blood counts, pain (22%), vomiting (15%), nausea (14%), other digestive problems (14%), abnormal laboratory tests that may or may not cause symptoms (14%), and bladder/pelvic problems (12%).
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