Cervical cancer is a degeneration of the normal cells of the cervix. Cells avoid the natural processes of cell death and begin to multiply without control, starting to spread into neighboring healthy tissues (invasion) and also through the vascular network to reach distant organs in the body (metastasis). The cervix is ​​the lowest part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Because of the specific epithelium there (metaplastic), which is transitional between the squamous epithelium of the vagina and the single-layered epithelium of the uterine mucosa, this particular area is highly sensitive to factors that increase the risk of carcinogenesis. The good news is that due to the highly developed secondary prevention related to cervical carcinoma, in the majority of cases and with regular screening by PAP test (cytosmear) this disease is detected at an early stage. Accordingly, the possibility of a quality life even after the diagnosis is great. The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus subtypes 16 and 18. The virus is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact and directly invades the transformation zone of the cervix, with viral genes damaging cell signals. These changes do not occur at the subcellular level, so there are no symptoms for a very long time. In advanced processes, symptoms such as vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex or at menopause, pain in the small pelvis or in the lower abdomen, or vaginal discharge with altered characteristics are late manifestations of the underlying disease. The lack of early signs of cervical cancer makes the need for annual screening and examination by a gynecologist mandatory. For more information on the secondary prevention of cervical cancer, Pap smear, colposcopy and conization, you can click here and here. NEWS_MORE_BOX When the uterine body, vagina or surrounding tissues are involved, the aforementioned techniques are not sufficient for the definitive treatment of the disease. In order to determine the most adequate treatment for cervical cancer, it is necessary to understand the spread of the process. This is done after an imaging study is carried out – computer tomography is most often used. In the case of imaging findings of local involvement of the surrounding tissues, surgical treatment is then performed. The operation is called a hysterectomy, in which the uterus and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. During the operation, the lymph nodes around the uterus are also removed. When distant metastases are present, then removal of the primary focus of the underlying disease is not justified. It is more reasonable to start systemic antitumor treatment – ​​chemotherapy – in order to prevent further metastasis and reduce the cancer cell volume. It is the same reason for the application of radiation therapy in some advanced cases as well. Oncology as a whole is debilitating for patients,therefore, protection from them should be the main direction in which medical science develops. Vaccination against the human papillomavirus, having sex with barrier protection means (condoms) and solid secondary prevention protect against the complications of the disease.