Benign and Malignant Tumors of The Cervix

Benign and Malignant Tumors
of the Cervix
Anatomy and Physiology

The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system.
It's in the pelvis. The cervix is the lower, narrow part
of the uterus (womb).
The cervix is a passageway:
Anatomy and Physiology

The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. During a
menstrual period, blood flows from the uterus
through the cervix into the vagina. The vagina leads
to the outside of the body.
The cervix makes mucus. During sex, mucus helps
sperm move from the vagina through the cervix into
the uterus.
Pathophysiology of Cervix
Growths on the cervix can be benign or malignant. Benign
growths are not cancer. They are not as harmful as
malignant growths (cancer).
Benign growths (polyps, cysts, or genital warts):
are rarely a threat to life don't invade

the tissues around them
Malignant growths (cervical cancer):
may sometimes be a threat to life can invade nearby
tissues and organs can spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer of the Cervix

Cervical cancer begins in cells on the surface of the
cervix. Over time, the cervical cancer can invade more
deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues. The cancer
cells can spread by breaking away from the original
(primary) tumor.
Cancer of the Cervix

They enter blood vessels or lymph vessels, which
branch into all the tissues of the body. The cancer
cells may attach to other tissues and grow to form
new tumors that may damage those tissues. The
spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Signs and Symptoms
Early cervical cancers usually don't cause symptoms. When

the cancer grows larger, women may notice one or more
of these symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods
Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic
exam
Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than
before
Bleeding after going through menopause.
Signs and Symptoms

Increased vaginal discharge
Pelvic pain
Pain during sex
Infections or other health problems may also cause

these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A
woman with any of these symptoms should tell her
doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and
treated as early as possible.
Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

Doctors recommend that women help reduce their
risk of cervical cancer by having regular Pap tests. A
Pap smear or cervical smear which is a simple test
used to look at cervical cells. Pap smear tests can find
cervical cancer or abnormal cells that can lead to
cervical cancer.
Contd
Finding and treating abnormal cells can prevent most
cervical cancer. Also, the Pap test can help find cancer
early, when treatment is more likely to be effective.
If you have abnormal Pap or HPV test results, your

doctor will suggest other tests to make a diagnosis:
Colposcopy: The doctor uses a colposcope to look at
the cervix. The colposcope combines a bright light
with a magnifying lens to make tissue easier to see. It
is not inserted into the vagina. A colposcopy is usually
done in the doctor's office or clinic.
Biopsy: Most women have tissue removed in the

doctor's office with local anesthesia. A pathologist
checks the tissue under a microscope for abnormal
cells.
The Vira/Pap test to examination of the specimens
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure to detect HPV
Nursing Diagnosis
Acute pain related to post procedure swelling and
nerve damage manifested by patient verbalization of
pain rated 9/10 on the pain scale.
Fear, related to diagnosis of cervical cancer
Manifested by patient verbalization
Anxiety Related to metastasis and surgery manifested
by patient verbalization of being nervous.
Nursing Intervention
Discuss treatment alternatives, including the

prognosis with each option.
Administer pain medications as prescribed.
Reassure the patient that this disease and its
treatment shouldnt radically alter her lifestyle or
prohibit sexual intimacy.
Monitor for complications of surgery bleeding,
infection
Nursing Interventions
Listen to the patients fears and concerns, and offer
reassurance when appropriate.
Encourage the patient to use relaxation techniques to
promote comfort during the diagnostic procedures.
Observe for signs and symptoms of radiation sickness
such as nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal
cramping.
Nursing Interventions
Explain the importance of complying with follow up
visits to the gynecologist and oncologist.
Refer to a local cancer support group so that she
can interact with cancer survivors.
Refer the patient to a social worker in preparation for
her altered level of functioning
Expected Outcomes
Develop strategies for pain control.

Maintain skin and tissue integrity during radiation
treatment.
Express her feelings about the fear of cancer and
death.
References
Cervical Cancer, 2010, retrieved from

http://www.medicinenet.com/cervical_cancer/article.ht
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Benign and Malignant Tumors

Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology

are rarely a threat to life don't invade

Cancer of the Cervix

Cancer of the Cervix

Signs and Symptoms

Early cervical cancers usually don't cause symptoms. When

Signs and Symptoms

Infections or other health problems may also cause

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

If you have abnormal Pap or HPV test results, your

Biopsy: Most women have tissue removed in the

Discuss treatment alternatives, including the

Develop strategies for pain control.

Cervical Cancer, 2010, retrieved from

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