Cancer Cervix: An Experience at Tertiary Healthcare Centre in India

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in India and 25% of all global deaths due to cervical cancer occurs in India. Globally 70-80%of cervical cancers are attributed to human papilloma virus (HPV) mainly genotype 16 and 18. It is been documented that cervical cancer incidence is greater among lower socio-economic status women, less educated women and in those having larger number of children’s. Methodology: 200 case of cancer cervix registered at oncology opd and ward were selected and followed up prospectively in a teaching institution for all the variables and treatment protocols and followed up for complications, morbidity, and symptomatic relief and recurrence or cure of disease. A detailed case pro forma was made including all details of patients, patients were examined in details including physical and speculum examination and investigated accordingly to find out the stage of disease, various treatment modalities were used according to stage of disease as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and combination of above treatment modalities where required. Results: In our study majority of patients were in the age group of 40-51years and having an advanced disease stage (55%)at presentation.cauliflower type of growth was most common finding on per speculum examination, white discharge per vaginum(79%) was the most common presenting symptom followed by postmenopausal bleeding (51%)and postcoital bleeding(36%). Conclusion: Cancer cervix is preventable disease but unfortunately not yet prevented, action is needed both for primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer.HPV vaccination is now globally accepted as a safe and effective means of primary prevention of cervical cancer.