Malignant erosion is one of the types of early stage cervical cancer.

Despite modern advances achieved in the treatment of uterine cancer, thanks to the development of surgical techniques and techniques, despite the spread and improvement of radiation therapy methods for uterine cancer, the diagnosis of the disease and the fate of the patient primarily depend on how early the diagnosis was made. It can be argued that almost every case of uterine cancer is curable if it is subjected to radical treatment at the onset of the disease. And if, nevertheless, a large percentage of patients with uterine cancer die today in all countries of the world, this is due to the fact that patients often turn to specialists already in an advanced stage of the disease.

Early recognition of uterine cancer is complicated primarily by the fact that in the very initial stage of the disease, an accurate diagnosis cannot be made using conventional gynecological examination methods - examination and palpation. But if there are symptoms that will be discussed below, the doctor should think about the possibility of cancer in this patient.

What are the symptoms caused by uterine cancer and especially cervical cancer?

Signs and recognition. Symptoms of incipient cancer are bleeding and leucorrhoea. Pain in cervical cancer appears only in the late stages of the disease, when cure is hardly possible.

In the initial stage, cancer of the cervix does not cause pain, so the presence of pain in a doubtful case may speak more against cancer than for it.

Bleeding in cervical cancer can be characterized by increased or prolonged menstruation, as well as bleeding that appears in the intermenstrual period or regardless of menstruation, especially in the menopause. The amount of blood released varies. Heavy bleeding is usually observed in the later stages of the disease, while at the beginning the bleeding is moderate or insignificant, but is characterized by its continuity and frequent recurrence. The appearance of bleeding or spotting after a minor injury is of especially great diagnostic importance: sexual intercourse, gynecological examination, vaginal douching, passage of hard feces through the adjacent rectum, etc. (“contact” bleeding). This kind of bleeding should raise suspicion of cancer, especially when a woman is at menopausal age.

At the beginning of the disease, leucorrhoea does not have the fetid character that it acquires in the later stages of uterine cancer. In the early stage of the disease, leucorrhoea is often odorless, light, serous or serous-bloody. In this they differ from discharges that arise due to inflammatory diseases and have a mucopurulent character in endocervicitis and a cloudy serous-purulent character in colpitis. Although not a reliable symptom of incipient cancer, leucorrhoea that appears suddenly in old age for no apparent reason should pay special attention. Occasionally, there are cases of cancer in which in the early stages of the disease there is no bleeding or leucorrhoea.

Due to the fact that cancer occurs more often in the menopausal and premenopausal periods, some authors require that antenatal clinics, in order to systematically combat uterine cancer, involve all women in their area who are at a specified age in periodic gynecological examinations. Recently, this requirement has received widespread support. Other age groups of women are also included in the survey. It is necessary that doctors of antenatal clinics, gynecological clinics, and rural medical centers in the fight for early detection of initial forms of uterine cancer pay the greatest attention to those symptoms that may cause the slightest suspicion of cancer. The second unconditional requirement is that in each case, the doctor, when performing a thorough gynecological examination, must examine the cervix in the speculum. True, such a study makes it possible to confidently diagnose cervical cancer only in advanced cases. At the initial stage of the process, the examination allows the doctor to make only a presumptive diagnosis or raises a suspicion of cancer. Therefore, in such cases, in addition to a gynecological examination, one should resort to additional research methods. Prescribing any therapeutic measure against bleeding or leucorrhoea without a thorough gynecological examination is a gross omission on the part of the doctor, which can expose the woman who turns to him for advice to mortal danger.

What are the objective changes detected on the cervix during gynecological examinations that may raise suspicion of incipient cancer?

In the initial stage of development of cervical cancer that has arisen inside the cervical canal, a gynecological examination may not give any objective signs at all; in other cases, suspicion of cancer may be caused by the presence of some thickening and hardening of the cervix, especially if the examination is accompanied by the appearance of blood from the cervical canal.

In rare cases of cancer that does not arise from the mucous membrane of the cervical canal, but in the thickness of the cervix, in the initial stage of the disease (before the tumor breaks through into the cervical canal or onto the surface of the vaginal part of the uterus), there will be no symptom of bleeding, so in such cases it is usually recognized very late .

Cancer of the vaginal part of the uterus can be detected during a gynecological examination much earlier than cancer that occurs in the cervical canal, since its location is accessible to inspection in the speculum. In these cases, cancer can be detected in the form of a small papillary growth or hardening located on the anterior or posterior lip of the pharynx, which slightly rises above the adjacent area and bleeds when touched, but more often there is an ulcer, initially somewhat reminiscent of inflammatory erosion. Inflammatory erosion has a bright red color with a bluish tint, velvety in appearance, and bleeds slightly when touched. The eroded area evenly rises above the mucous membrane and gradually turns into healthy tissue. Inflammatory erosion is often accompanied by the presence of testicles, tissue swelling, and copious mucopurulent discharge from the cervix.

A cancer ulcer has a slightly different appearance: its surface is uneven and lumpy; The color of the ulcer is darker than the color of the surrounding healthy tissue. In some places hemorrhagic and necrotic areas are observed. When palpated, the ulcer tissue is denser than the surrounding tissue and is extremely fragile; at the slightest mechanical damage, heavy bleeding begins; during examination, the probe easily penetrates the tissue.

A cancerous ulcer does not appear uniformly elevated, like a benign erosion, and at the border with healthy tissue it is sometimes separated from it as if by a groove. Catarrhal phenomena, which usually accompany benign cervical erosion, may be absent in the initial stage of cancer. This is how a cancerous ulcer differs mainly from benign erosion. These distinctive signs are clearly expressed, but in the initial stage of cancer, but only when the process has already gone quite far.

At the very beginning of the disease, in its clinical picture, cervical cancer is not much different from a benign ulcer.

Differential diagnosis between cancer and primary syphilitic or tuberculous ulcer of the cervix can also be very difficult. Thus, palpation and speculum examination data in many cases can only raise suspicion of cancer, but they cannot always bring complete clarity to the diagnosis. Meanwhile, the answer to the question whether there is cancer in this case or not, must be given immediately, since saving the patient’s life may largely depend on this.

Therefore, in order to accurately make a diagnosis in a case of suspected cervical cancer, it is necessary to resort to a biopsy.

Biopsy for suspected cervical cancer. A microscopic picture of a histological section with a correctly applied biopsy technique can detect cancerous degeneration at the very initial stage of its development. And if we consider that it is the initial cases of uterine cancer that provide, we repeat, the greatest opportunities for a favorable treatment outcome, then it is clear that the method of microscopic diagnosis in the fight against uterine cancer becomes especially important.

Unfortunately, microscopic examination of the biopsied area does not always allow one to come to an accurate and final decision. If histological examination does not reveal cancer, while the clinical picture is still highly suspicious, it is necessary to re-examine, since the biopsied piece may have been excised incorrectly (for example, it was taken not from a cancerous lesion, but from an adjacent area where there is inflammation only). Difficulties and errors may also arise when interpreting the microscopic picture. All this indicates that the data of histological examination, when they are in conflict with the clinical picture, should be treated with some caution. In such cases, the woman should be placed under special registration and systematically undergo repeated thorough gynecological and histological examination.

The II Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists noted in its resolution on the programmatic issue of uterine cancer: “ The Congress believes that a microscopic examination that denies a cancerous lesion in the presence of a suspicious picture should not serve as a basis for considering a patient beyond suspicion of cancer and as a reason to release such a patient from the doctor’s field of view».

The question often arises whether a biopsy should be performed in a local hospital or in an institution whose working conditions do not allow, if a response from a histologist confirms the presence of cancer, to carry out the necessary treatment. Perhaps the local doctor would do better if he sent the patient straight to a medical institution, where a biopsy would be performed, and, if necessary, immediate surgery?

Of course, this line of behavior has certain advantages already because a biopsy performed long before surgery can lead to the introduction of an infection or neoplasm from a cancer focus to nearby or distant areas.

To avoid this danger, in our clinic, in cases where the type of ulcer (disintegration; caused a strong suspicion of a malignant neoplasm), we used the following method: a biopsy was performed half an hour to an hour before the intended operation. This time is enough to examine the biopsied piece using a freezing microtome If the histological examination revealed cancer, then a radical operation was performed immediately, and then there was no threat of infection and spread of cancer cells through the lymphatic tract from the cancerous ulcer. And if there was no cancer, then the radical operation was cancelled.

But if the biopsy was not carried out at all on the spot, then some women, not attaching much importance to, in their opinion, insignificant complaints, will not always go as intended, and then cases of initial cancer can turn into advanced and inoperable. Therefore, the requirement to perform a biopsy only in an institution where the patient can receive appropriate treatment should not, in our opinion, be categorical.

It goes without saying that performing a biopsy locally with sending an excised piece of tissue for microscopic examination to a pathology office located in the nearest center requires good organizational coordination in the work of local doctors, as well as the entire general treatment and preventive network with oncological service institutions, in the organizational center of which was and remains the oncology clinic.

If a gynecological examination causes the doctor to strongly suspect cancer, then it is better not to perform a biopsy at the site, but to immediately send the patient to one of the medical institutions in the district or region, where a biopsy and, if necessary, surgery can be performed. But in such a case, the local doctor should not limit himself to just the prescription, but must check whether the patient has fulfilled the prescription, and, if necessary, take all measures to ensure that the patient fulfills it without wasting time.

Biopsy technique. A biopsy, or test excision, i.e. cutting a wedge-shaped piece of tissue from a suspicious area on the cervix for histological examination, is one of the minor gynecological operations. From a technical point of view, it can be accessible to every operating doctor. But despite its simplicity, the operation can sometimes be performed insufficiently carefully, and sometimes incorrectly, resulting in a diagnostic error. So. for example, it may happen that extensive bleeding papillary erosion on the cervix in one place begins to turn into cancer. It is sometimes difficult for an inexperienced doctor to correctly select exactly the area on the eroded neck where cancer is most likely to be detected. As a result, a test piece can be cut out from an area on the cervix where there is no cancer yet, although it is already present in another area of ​​erosion.

In order to choose the right place for a biopsy, you can perform a test, which at one time was proposed to recognize the initial stage of cancer of the vaginal part of the uterus, as an independent diagnostic method. This test consists of lubricating the vaginal part of the uterus exposed by the speculum with Lugol's solution (instead of lubricating, you can make a bath of Lugol's solution). The flat epithelium covering the healthy surface of the vaginal part of the uterus, containing glycogen in its protoplasm, under the influence of Lugol's solution turns dark brown, while cancer cells are weakly or not stained at all. As a result, the area of ​​the vaginal part of the uterus affected by the cancerous tumor, after the action of the Lugol solution on it, stands out among the healthy tissue as a lighter spot. This method still did not fully live up to the hopes placed on it. It turned out that the test was specific only for the brown coloration of normal surface epithelium and that areas that did not accept the dye were not necessarily affected by cancer. For example, the surface on which there is hyperkeratosis or benign (inflammatory) erosion with a detached surface layer of the epithelium is weakly stained. However, it is still impossible to completely deny the diagnostic value of this method, and it seems to us that for a doctor with little experience in these matters, this test can help in choosing a site on the vaginal part of the uterus for a biopsy.

In cases where suspicious erosion has widely covered the lips of the uterine pharynx, test pieces must be cut out from both the anterior and posterior lips.

The biopsy can also be performed incorrectly from a purely technical point of view. The most common mistake is to cut out too small a piece, so the area where there is incipient cancer may not be included in the study drug. In another case, cancer can be suspected when the examined piece contains strands and nests of squamous epithelium, and since the cut piece is too small and thin, it is impossible to determine whether the squamous epithelium grows into the depths and into the adjacent tissue, which is so characteristic of cancer. Of course, microscopic examination reveals, in addition to this, other more or less characteristic features, but still the general picture of a large section, which makes it possible to trace the relative position of the epithelium and stroma over a sufficient distance, is usually of decisive importance. In addition, a too small piece cut from the surface in the form of a plate presents great difficulties for its correct positioning when gluing it to the block; in the removed plate it is impossible to decide by eye where the underlying tissue is located and where the integumentary epithelium is; if the preparation on the block is positioned incorrectly, then in the first sections you can remove the integumentary epithelium and in the next sections have only the stroma. It is, of course, impossible to give a definite answer in such cases.

A piece taken from the surface of a tumor or ulcer is even less suitable for research, since this surface layer can, with existing cancer, give a picture of only necrosis. A wedge-shaped piece cut out from the cervix for microscopic examination must necessarily contain not only the suspicious tissue, but also the adjacent and underlying tissue. Therefore, the cut piece should extend 1 cm beyond the border of the ulcer onto a healthy (to the eye) mucosal surface. In the same way, the cut piece should go so deep that its edge contains a layer of tissue lying under the suspicious area of ​​​​the mucosa.

Usually, no anesthesia is used during the trial cutting. If the biopsy is performed on an outpatient basis, then V. S. Gruzdev recommends using a special instrument. It is a windowed forceps with triangular holes with sharp edges; With these forceps, a piece is bitten out from the anterior or posterior lip of the vaginal part of the uterus.

We do not have personal experience in using such instruments, but we believe that it is unlikely that a biopsy performed with these instruments will often meet all the methodological requirements that were outlined above.

A piece should be cut out especially deeply in cases where the patient is suspected of having one of the rare and most insidious forms of cancer - central, intramural cervical cancer. In such a case, until the cancerous tumor reaches the surface of the mucous membrane of the neck, it is not visible, and only the swelling of the neck and its dense consistency may arouse suspicion and require a trial cutting. Thus, a biopsy will detect cancer only if the cut wedge penetrates deep enough into the muscle.

A deep defect in the cervix, formed during a trial cutting, must be closed with one or two ligatures to avoid bleeding. With a less deep notch and where there is no bleeding, you can limit yourself to vaginal tamponation.
It goes without saying that both the operation and the preparation for it must be carried out according to all the rules applied for any vaginal operation.

If the doctor cannot accurately determine which area of ​​erosion is most suspicious of cancerous degeneration, then the excised piece should have a larger surface.

If a cancerous tumor has arisen in the upper part of the cervical canal, then microscopic diagnosis can only be made by examining a scraping.

At the end of the biopsy operation, the cut piece of tissue is washed from the blood, then placed in a jar with a 5-10% formaldehyde solution or 96% alcohol. To avoid possible errors, the jar with the drug must be equipped with a label indicating the patient’s last name, first name and age, the date of the biopsy, as well as the place from which the piece was cut out.

Recognition of cervical cancer arising from the mucous membrane of the cervical canal. Cervical cancer can develop both from the stratified squamous epithelium covering the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the uterus, and from the columnar epithelium of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal.

From here, of course, it does not follow that cancer of the vaginal part of the uterus will always be squamous cell, and cancer of the cervical canal will always be columnar cell. Regardless of the morphological form of cancer, cancer of the vaginal part of the uterus in the initial stage of its development can be detected earlier than the beginning cancer of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal. This is quite understandable, since the vaginal part can be subjected not only to palpation, but also to direct inspection, and the mucous membrane of the cervical canal remains inaccessible to the eye. Therefore, when palpation and examination with mirrors reveal an area on the vaginal part that is suspicious for cancer, a test cutting (biopsy) is performed to establish a diagnosis.

But what to do in the case when the history and clinical phenomena (bleeding and spotting during menopause or in old age, contact bleeding, etc.) raise suspicions of cancer, and examination in the speculum does not reveal anything suspicious on the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the uterus ? It would be a big mistake to wait for further developments. Suspicion must be, as this must be repeated tirelessly, either confirmed or rejected in the shortest possible time.

If the suspicion is based, in addition to the indicated symptoms, on the presence of a small limited hardening on the anterior or posterior lip of the uterine pharynx, then a deep notch can still detect incipient cancer of the cervical canal, which comes close to the vaginal part, but has not yet grown onto its surface. If cervical canal cancer in the early stages of its development is located higher towards the internal os, then in the presence of clinically suspicious symptoms, examination of the vaginal part of the uterus may not reveal anything, and the diagnosis can only be made by microscopic examination of a scraping taken from the cervical canal.

Microscopic diagnosis of cervical cancer can be simple and easy for every pathologist.

In the initial stages of the disease, differential diagnosis between a cancerous (and precancerous) neoplasm and various forms of inflammatory processes of the cervix can present great difficulties even with a microscopic examination of an excised piece of tissue. In such a case, consultation with a more experienced specialist may be necessary.

Microscopic diagnosis of cervical cancer by examining native, unstained preparations - smears taken from the affected area of ​​the cervix. Due to the fact that there may be contraindications for performing a biopsy (acute and subacute inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, the presence of pyometra, etc.), the aspirations of clinicians and pathologists were aimed at finding new research methods that could replace a biopsy.

A similar method could be of great interest in the dynamic monitoring of patients with cervical cancer during radiotherapy.

Favorable results have been achieved in this direction in recent years. As shown by a number of reports from the authors, in which the discharge taken from the affected area of ​​the cervix in a native, unstained preparation is examined, it gives the highest percentage of matches with the data of histological examination, while the study of stained vaginal smears using the Papanicolaou method not only has no advantages in comparison with the method of studying native drugs, but is also significantly inferior to it, being more complex and less reliable.

Cervical erosion is a lesion of the mucous membrane, flat cells in the epithelial layer of the organ. Also, it is with pathological changes in epithelial cells that the oncological process develops. So can erosion turn into oncology, and what is the likelihood of such a course of the disease? How are erosion and cervical cancer related?

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Can cervical erosion turn into cancer?

Can erosion cause cervical cancer? Some doctors are of the opinion that it can. However, there is little basis for such a position. At its core, erosion is a small defect in the epithelial layer. In its structure and structure, it is almost completely similar to a skin abrasion.

This “abrasion” does not go away, since it is constantly affected by external factors. But it cannot cause cancer either. How mechanical damage to the skin does not cause cancer.

However, there are multi-step, complex mechanisms through which cancer and erosion may be indirectly related. A cancer tumor is a focus of active division of atypical cells (that’s why the tumor grows so quickly). That is, to begin such a process, in essence, you only need one atypical cell that can actively divide. The process of formation of such a cell is complex and suppressed by the immune system. But given favorable conditions, it can happen quite quickly.

It is believed that one of the factors that significantly increases the likelihood of developing oncology is the presence of a long-term non-healing defect in a particular organ. This defect reduces immunity (general and local). And it becomes more difficult for the body to suppress pathological cell divisions. Erosion is precisely such a defect.

Thus, if erosion exists for a long time (at least 10 years), then it can become a significant risk factor for the development of a precancerous condition. But even a precancerous condition in this case is not very dangerous. In reality, only about 0.1% of these conditions progress to cancer.

The presence of erosion increases the likelihood of the addition of other viruses and infections. Including human papillomavirus. It causes dysplasia. And this disease can turn into cancer with a high degree of probability (30-50% of all cases without treatment).

Groups and risk factors

Although erosion and cervical cancer are not directly related, the following factors increase the likelihood of developing cancer:

• HPV infection;
• Early onset of sexual activity;
• A large number of sexual partners without using barrier methods of protection against STDs;
• Weakened immunity;
• Malnutrition, unbalanced diet, strict diets, etc.;
• Smoking, drinking alcohol and other bad habits;
• Genetic predisposition to the occurrence of oncological processes;
• Hormonal imbalances, in particular, treatment for threatened miscarriage;
• Constant stress;
• Lack of sleep and chronic fatigue;
• Regular long-term hypothermia.

To reduce the likelihood of such a development of the disease, it is recommended to get vaccinated against HPV. It is important to use barrier contraception and carefully observe intimate hygiene.

Signs of oncology

This disease may cause some symptoms during the transition to oncology. Although it is believed that oncology does not cause symptoms, it can still be suspected based on the clinical picture.

In the early stages

At the very beginning of the disease, there are no symptoms at all. But the disease can be detected through cytological examination or biopsy. Over time and initially, symptoms may appear:

1. Bleeding not associated with the menstrual cycle, as well as developing after sexual intercourse (occurs in 40% of cases with cancer);
2. A large amount of vaginal discharge, its change;
3. Rectal examination may also reveal erosive bleeding.

However, these symptoms can be caused by a number of more common conditions. Therefore, cancer is rarely diagnosed at this stage.

In later stages

In later stages, symptoms are more pronounced. It develops when the tumor size is significant.

1. Fatigue and weakness;
2. Dysuria;
3. Urinary retention and difficulty with it;
4. Hydronephrosis;
5. Dramatic weight loss;
6. Hematuria;
7. Pain in the lower extremities and pelvic area;
8. Edema;
9. Intestinal dysfunction.

At the metastatic stage, hypercalcemia, joint pain, hepatitis, and liver pain are also detected.

Treatment of cancer stage

In the early stages of the disease, when there is no precancerous or cancerous process, it is quite easy to cure erosion. Cryotherapy, cauterization in various ways, radio wave therapy and other low-traumatic methods are used. In the case of the oncological stage, everything is more complicated. In this case, standard oncology treatment methods are used.

Diagnosis of “cervical erosion”, what is it? Why does it occur and how to treat it? These questions interest millions of women. But the most important thing is not only to establish the cause of the disease, but also to cure it - effectively and without the risk of complications.

Is it urgent to cauterize the erosion? Can it lead to cancer? Is it possible to treat erosion before childbirth? We will answer all questions in order.

Know the enemy by sight

Cervical erosion is a disease in which there is a violation of the integrity or a pathological change in the epithelium, the mucous membrane lining its surface.

But, you see, the partial absence (disturbance) of the mucous membrane and the atypical change in its tissues are two completely different things. To be more precise, two different conditions and two different approaches to treatment. Only an experienced gynecologist can diagnose and prescribe adequate therapy.

The inflammatory process occurring in the cervix, an acidic environment, damage to the cervix - all this provokes increased secretion of the mucous membrane, which is manifested by the formation of specific secretions that “corrode” the mucous membrane.

This is how the cervical epithelium is forced to defend itself. But this leads to a violation of the integrity of the epithelium and subsequent changes, the appearance of neoplasms.

What triggers the development of erosion?

The occurrence of erosion is the result of the development of the inflammatory process.

The mechanism that triggers inflammation in the vast majority of cases is infection and concomitant inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.

The cause of inflammation can be either a sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, trichomonas) or a nonspecific infection (candida, streptococci, enterococci, staphylococci, E. coli).

Infection of the cervix can also be caused by damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix: “ruptures” during childbirth, injuries during medical abortion. Plus, hormonal imbalance and reduced immunity.

Negative illness scenarios

Most women are not even aware that they are at risk.

Many infections exist hidden in the body and do not manifest their presence in any way. This, in turn, provokes the development of long-term chronic inflammation and a high risk of developing various inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, including those that contribute to the occurrence of cervical erosion.

Detection of infections (both sexually transmitted and nonspecific) is a key point in the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Symptoms of cervical erosion

Another factor leading to a negative scenario is that the disease is practically asymptomatic. Most often, a woman does not experience any painful or unpleasant sensations associated specifically with the development of erosion in the initial stages. Bleeding rarely occurs. Therefore, in most cases, cervical erosion is a diagnostic finding. And, fortunately, if erosion is detected in a timely manner, it can be treated.

Development of cervical diseases

The direct connection between the development of cervical diseases (especially cancer) and the presence in the body of viruses such as herpes type 2 (or so-called genital herpes) and human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reliably proven.

Cervical erosion can provoke both benign and malignant degeneration of epithelial tissue, especially if it persists for a long time.

Lack of timely, competent assistance means a really high risk of developing cervical cancer!

Effective treatment at ON CLINIC

In order to treat effectively, firstly, you need to carefully diagnose and eliminate the cause of the disease - the inflammatory process. Secondly, remove the changed cervical tissue. Thirdly, stimulate recovery processes.

The choice of treatment method depends on the duration, form and nature of the disease and whether the woman is planning a pregnancy.

The gynecological department of ON CLINIC has the most powerful diagnostic and treatment potential, a team of highly qualified doctors with many years of experience, using proven treatment methods.

To determine treatment tactics, the gynecologist at ON CLINIC will prescribe the necessary examination: oncocytological smear, extended colposcopy, tests for infections, take a biopsy of the cervix and conduct a histological examination.

The diagnostic base of ON CLINIC allows you to identify viruses that pose a risk of cancer (genital herpes virus and HPV) using a high-precision PCR method within 1 day.

Moxibustion treatment

Based on diagnostic data, the gynecologist at ON CLINIC prescribes a complex of treatment in order to eliminate the cause of the development of the inflammatory process. After this, erosion is eliminated using modern hardware techniques (cauterization).

Cauterization of erosion in ON CLINIC is carried out using various modern methods that are safe and effective for treating the cervix.

Radio wave treatment

The most in demand is the advanced technology of radio wave treatment, which is carried out using the innovative Surgitron device. This method allows you to eliminate erosion bloodlessly and without scarring. This results in minimal damage to soft tissue and a significant reduction in pain. This is the most preferred treatment method for women planning to give birth.

After the medical intervention, the woman is under the patronage of the attending gynecologist at ON CLINIC, in a comfortable hospital setting.

The most important thing is to remember that the sooner a woman sees a doctor, the more effectively the doctor will be able to help her: maintain her health, the opportunity to be a mother and have healthy children!

Around the world, cervical cancer is considered one of the most dangerous cancers with a high mortality rate. Incidence statistics have remained stable over the past 10 years and are significantly higher in developing countries. On average, it occurs in women aged 30-34 years.

Often, such a diagnosis is preceded by changes in the structure of the mucous membrane of the cervix. Although the relationship of the problem " uterine erosion – cancer“does not always reliably indicate such a serious disease; you still need to understand when to worry and distinguish erosion from cancer.

Causes of cervical erosion

Erosion occurs when the squamous epithelial cells of the cervix become inflamed, red, and velvety in appearance. Blurred and infected areas are also observed.

1. Cervical erosion, as well as, is associated with increased levels of the hormone estrogen, and therefore often occurs in young girls and women taking oral contraceptives, as well as during pregnancy.
2. Injury from tampons or other objects.
3. Vaginal infections such as herpes or syphilis.
4. Another condition for the occurrence of erosion is damage or inflammation (cervicitis) of the surface covering of the cervix during childbirth or after a miscarriage. This situation may take many years to be diagnosed. In this case, cervicitis becomes chronic, forming small mucous cysts on the cervix.

However, cervical erosion can occur in any woman without obvious reasons or predisposition, but not always erosion develops into cancer.

Symptoms of cervical erosion turning into cancer

Uterine erosion is usually asymptomatic. Only a doctor can detect the disease through direct examination. However, you should pay attention to signs such as bleeding after intercourse and/or heavy discharge.

It is important to remember that situations where erosion and cancer are interconnected do occur in medical practice. Therefore, you need to make sure that there are no precancerous changes in the cervix. For this purpose, a cytological examination (smear collection for analysis) and colposcopy are carried out.

Etiology of cervical cancer

The development of cervical cancer is directly related to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which interferes with tumor suppressor genes such as p35 and retinoblastoma to produce viral carcinogenesis.

95% of cases of cervical cancer are associated with types of HPV infection such as 16 and 18, less often caused by 31, 33, 34 and 45 strains.

Risk factors:

Erosion turns into cancer only under favorable circumstances:

• early sexual experience with frequent changes of partners and lack of barrier methods of contraception;
• weakened immunity and malnutrition;
• hormonal factors, especially drug effects on the body when there is a threat of miscarriage;
• smoking reduces cellular immunity and viral clearance;
• family history may be a risk factor due to this lifestyle.

Symptoms of cervical cancer

1. In the initial stages, oncology is asymptomatic. It can be detected by a doctor by taking a smear from the cervix.
2. Intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding. Happens in 40% of cases. Particular attention should be paid to heavy and constant bleeding.
3. An increase or change in vaginal discharge.
4. A rectal examination may reveal bleeding due to erosion.

Symptoms in later stages include:

• pain in the pelvis, legs and swelling;
• changes in bowel function;
• hematuria;
• dysuria;
• urination or urinary retention;
• ureteral obstructions leading to hydronephrosis;
• fatigue and weight loss.

Cervical erosion - cancer: symptoms of metastatic disease

Malignant tumors in the last stages of the disease may include the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing and hemoptysis (lung damage);
• jaundice and abdominal pain (liver damage);
• bone pain and hypercalcemia.

Treatment

Cervical erosion without cancer includes minor surgery. These procedures are usually painless and performed on an outpatient basis:

1. Freezing (cryotherapy).
2. Cauterization (diathermy).
3. Treatment with radio waves.

In cases where erosion is cancer, therapy requires treatment methods acceptable for cancer lesions:

Surgery:

Provides for the destruction of abnormal ectocervical epithelium by cauterization, cryodestruction or laser therapy.

At an advanced stage, a radical method of therapy may be required, which involves complete removal of the cervix, upper third of the vagina and uterosacral ligaments.

Radiotherapy:

Typically, a combination of radiation therapy and brachytherapy is used. Radiation therapy affects the pelvic floor to the upper sacrum. Intraresonator brachytherapy is effective for tumors up to 2 cm in diameter.

Chemotherapy:

Significantly improves overall survival for high-risk patients in the early stages.

Pharmacotherapy:

Can be used simultaneously with radiation treatment during primary radiation treatment. It has been shown that this method reduces the risk of relapse and death by 30-50%. But the toxicity of the method is high and it is suitable only for those patients for whom surgery or radiation therapy cannot be applied.

Prevention

To answer the question negatively: “ Does erosion turn into cancer??”, you must, first of all, observe personal hygiene standards and get vaccinated against human papillomavirus. It has been scientifically proven that this will help prevent the occurrence of cancer in the cervix.

Without proper medical care, cervical erosion can develop into cancer, but not in every case.

This is due to the fact that cervical erosion in combination with the human papillomavirus easily leads to dysplasia– the affected mucosal tissues do not die off completely, but transform into atypical ones and accumulate. A benign neoplasm is formed, which without timely treatment goes to stage 2-3, which is a precancerous condition.

Moreover, it can develop in just 5-10 years, depending on the state of the woman’s immune system. But usually the process lasts at least 10-15 years, and may not occur at all.

The danger is that in the initial stages, erosion may not manifest itself in any way and may not bother the patient. In these cases, you can easily neglect your health condition.

Groups and risk factors

Erosion occurs both in women experiencing menopause and in girls during puberty. Besides, erosions are often found in women who have recently given birth.

This is due to changes in hormonal levels during these periods of the patients’ lives.

There is also a high risk of developing the disease for those who are promiscuous, do not undergo preventive examinations on time, or have injuries to the genital organs due to operations.

Concomitant factors that increase the risk of developing cancer include:

• the presence of papillomavirus in the body (oncogenic types are dangerous);
• the presence of chronic sexually transmitted infections;
• use of hormonal contraceptives without interruption for more than 5 years;
• frequent abortions;
• genetic predisposition to cancer;
• reduced immunity, which is chronic, as well as bad habits;
• disruptions in the endocrine system.

The earlier a girl begins to be sexually active, the more susceptible she is to cervical erosion. In young patients, the epithelium is very thin, so it is easily and quickly damaged.

Observation by a doctor and treatment

You need to see a gynecologist at least once a year provided there are no symptoms and normal urogenital tests. For those who already have erosion, it is recommended to consult a doctor 2-3 times a year and even more often if any abnormalities are detected. If there is discomfort in the cervical area, it is better not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist.

To treat cervical erosion, different methods are used, which are selected individually depending on the stage of the disease, course, concomitant diseases, individual tolerance to drugs and much more.

The most popular treatment methods are:

Drug treatment is effective only in the early stages and is not recommended unless there are contraindications for surgical removal of the pathology. It includes douching with antibacterial agents, taking medications to strengthen the immune system and can last up to 30 days.

The following methods may be used to detect cancer::

1. Traditional surgery. The doctor excises all affected areas and, if necessary, performs a radical removal of the cervix and nearby organs.
2. Radiation therapy aimed at the pelvic organs. Often combined with brachytherapy.
3. Chemotherapy. Radiation gives hope to patients even in advanced stages.
4. The use of highly toxic drugs in combination with one of the above methods.

You can reduce the risk of adverse consequences after treatment of erosion:

• carrying out postoperative measures recommended by the doctor: taking maintenance medications, douching, using suppositories;
• regular visits to the doctor for examination and treatment of tissue excision sites;
• abstinence from sexual activity for 1-1.5 months;
• use of barrier contraception for another 2 months after surgery and a period of abstinence;
• refusal to use tampons during menstruation until the tissue has completely healed.

Simple prevention can help prevent relapse:

To prevent the development of cancer, young women are recommended to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. In most cases, it is this that causes damage to the epithelial tissues of the internal genital organs.

Cervical erosion by itself cannot develop into cancer, but can develop into a concomitant disease (dysplasia), which is more dangerous and can become precancerous.

Erosion is easy to get rid of, especially in the early stages. To do this, it is enough to regularly visit a doctor for a timely diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Modern medicine involves painless and safe removal of affected tissue.

Even if cancer has already been detected, it is a type that can be treated. The doctor will select the most suitable method of surgical intervention and will preserve a maximum of healthy cells.

Useful video

We suggest watching a video about whether cervical erosion can develop into cancer: