A cervical tumor is a tumor, or abnormal growth, on the cervix and is a condition that primarily indicates cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second leading type of cancer in women, after breast cancer. A cervical tumor is the result of abnormal cell growth and has been linked to the human papillomavirus, for which there is now a vaccine for certain strains. Cervical cancer can be detected with a laboratory test that examines cervical cells obtained through a gynecological procedure called a Pap smear.
Like other types of cancer, cervical cancer is classified based on characteristics. Staging depends on the formation of a cervical tumor and whether or not the cervical tumor is confined to the cervix alone or has metastasized to other areas of the vagina or pelvis.
The most effective way to detect cervical cancer is through routine Pap tests. Although not all women receive routine exams, those who do have a better chance of early diagnosis and treatment. Many women fear abnormal cervical Pap test results, but doctors usually order a second test within three months to confirm an abnormality since other factors may contribute to abnormal results.
Without cervical screening, women may not be aware of a cervical tumor until the cancer has reached a later stage and symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain develop. The presence of a cervical tumor that has formed and grown can be detected with a physical cervical exam.
Treatment of a cervical tumor may include surgical removal, radiation or chemotherapy, or a combination of all three. Treatment largely depends on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. Although the survival rate of stage I is significantly higher than the advanced stages, recurrences are common and usually manifest within two years. However, early diagnosis leads to catching a cervical tumor in its early stages of formation and significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and minimizes treatment evasion. In some cases, a radical hysterectomy is necessary and may also require radiation and chemotherapy.
The average age for developing cervical cancer is 50 years, although younger women are still at risk. Routine gynecologic care and screening for breast and cervical cancer, even after menopause, is important for all women. Young girls should see a gynecologist at the onset of puberty, and parents should talk to their pediatrician, family doctor, or gynecologist about the HPV vaccine.