Know the Difference of Cervical Cancer and Uterus Cancer

Although often considered the same, cervical cancer and uterine cancer are two different types of cancer. Cervical cancer occurs in cells in the cervix, while uterine cancer occurs in cells in the uterine cavity. Both have similar symptoms, but the causes and treatment are different.

The uterus (womb) is a hollow organ that has an inverted pear-like shape. The uterus consists of three main parts, namely the upper part which is shaped like a dome (fundus), the hollow middle part (isthmus), and the narrow lower part (cervix or cervix). Cervix empties into the vagina.

Know the Difference of Cervical Cancer and Uterus Cancer

Cervical cancer and uterine cancer are both conditions that occur when abnormal cells multiply excessively and form a malignant tumor. However, cervical cancer is caused by malignancy of cells in the cervix, while uterine cancer is caused by malignancy of cells in the uterine cavity.

Facts About Cervical Cancer

Some facts that need to be known about cervical cancer are:

1. Symptoms include bleeding outside the menstrual cycle

Cervical cancer can be characterized by blood spotting or mucus mixed with blood from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle. In women who have experienced menopause, this sign can look like menstruation that should not have happened again.

Cervical cancer sufferers can also experience pain in the pelvis and pain during intercourse.

2. Can be caused by an HPV virus

Cervical cancer can be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) type-16 and type-18 infection. This virus causes changes in normal cells and causes malignancy. HPV is usually transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. Currently, there is an HPV vaccine for women to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer.

3. HIV/ AIDS sufferers are more at risk

Patients suffering from HIV/ AIDS have a 5 times higher risk of developing cervical cancer because their immune systems are weaker, making them more susceptible to HPV infection.

4. Can be detected with a pap smear

To detect whether someone has cervical cancer, the most frequently performed examination is a pap smear. In this examination, the doctor will take tissue samples from the cervix.

If the pap smear shows abnormal results, the doctor will recommend further examination in the form of colposcopy and biopsy. Colposcopy is done with a device equipped with a lamp and a magnifying camera. This tool will be inserted into the vagina to see the condition of the cervix clearly.

Whereas on biopsy, a small amount of cervical tissue will be taken as a sample to be examined under a microscope, to be able to ascertain whether the cells are malignant or not.

5. The case is quite high in developing countries

At present, the number of cervical cancer cases in developing countries is still quite high, while in developed countries continues to decrease. This is because the HPV vaccine has begun to be widely used and Pap smears have been routinely carried out. Pap smears are recommended to be performed every 3 years for women aged 21-29 years, and every 5 years for women aged 30-65 years.

6. The handling is adjusted by a number of factors

Cervical cancer can be treated with surgical removal of the uterus, chemotherapy, and/ or radiotherapy, depending on the stage (extent of spread) of the cancer and the condition of the patient's body.

Facts About Uterine Cancer

Uterus cancer occurs in the uterine cavity. The uterine wall has two layers, namely the endometrium layer on the inside and the layer of the myometrium (muscle) on the outside. About 90% of cases of cervical cancer that occur are endometrial cancer. Some facts about uterine cancer that need to be known are:

1. Many suffered by women aged 50 years and over

Uterus cancer is most common in women over the age of 50 years. Symptoms that are often recognized for the first time are bleeding from the vagina that should not have happened again at that age due to menopause. In women who have not yet experienced menopause, symptoms can include vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, menstrual bleeding that is more than usual, or pain in the pelvic area.

2. Relating to estrogen hormone levels

Naturally, a woman's body produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone to regulate the menstrual cycle. However, after menopause, the production of the hormone progesterone will stop. Estrogen which is not balanced with progesterone can cause changes in endometrial cells that can trigger cancer.

Women who are overweight (obese) also have higher estrogen levels, so they have a 3 times higher risk of developing uterine cancer.

3. Need to be detected by transvaginal ultrasound

To determine whether a person has uterine cancer, the doctor may recommend additional examinations in the form of transvaginal ultrasound, where an ultrasound scan is inserted directly through the vagina, to assess conditions in the uterus.

If needed, the doctor can also do hysteroscopy and biopsy. In hysteroscopy, a device with a small camera at the end will be inserted into the uterine cavity through the vagina, to check the condition in the uterus.

4. The handling is adjusted by a number of factors

Just like cervical cancer, uterine cancer can be treated with surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), chemotherapy, and/ or radiotherapy, depending on the stage or level of cancer spread and the condition of the patient's body.

Differences in Cervical Cancer and Uterus Cancer

Cervical cancer and uterine cancer have several fundamental differences, namely:

  • Malignant cells in cervical cancer start from cells in the cervix, while malignant cells in uterine cancer can start from the endometrial or myometrium (uterine muscle) lining in the uterine cavity.
  • Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with type-16 and type-18 HPV viruses that can be prevented by the HPV vaccine.
    This is different from uterine cancer. Cervical cancer is not caused by a viral infection, so it cannot be prevented by giving a vaccine. The main risk factors for uterine cancer are menopause and obesity.
    • The main examination for detecting cervical cancer is a pap smear, which can be followed by colposcopy and biopsy. Whereas in uterine cancer, examinations that are usually recommended are transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, and biopsy.

In general, cervical cancer and uterine cancer have similar symptoms, namely abnormal bleeding from the vagina. Even so, both occur in different parts of the uterus.

If you experience bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle or if you experience excessive bleeding during menstruation, you should consult a doctor.

To prevent cervical cancer, women who have not yet received an HPV vaccine are advised to consult their doctor about vaccines and periodic pap smears.

Written by:

Dr. Irene Cindy Sunur

Label : Health cat_Health

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