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which is done by gynecologists during a regular pelvic exam to determine if any changes have occurred in the cervical epithelium, an indicator of cancer development.

A cervical biopsy confirms a diagnosis of cervical cancer. A tissue sample is obtained by a specialist in a gynecologist's office or by the LEEP technique, an electrified loop, which is sometimes done as a cone biopsy in an operating room. There are also HPV tests available to determine clinically whether a woman has been infected with oncogenic strains. An alternative to a Pap smear is a colposcopy, a pelvic examination done with a small microscope used to observe the cervix at 8-10 times magnification.

Once cervical cancer is diagnosed treatment consists of preventing the precancerous cells from becoming cancerous and invasive. Removal of the cells during biopsy sometimes is enough. Other times more invasive surgical procedures are necessary. X-rays and other diagnostic techniques are used to gauge the spread of the cancer. Removal of tissues, cryosurgery, laser surgery, and cauterization are all available options depending on the extent of the cancer and the individual conditions of each patient.

In 2006 the FDA approved a vaccine for cervical cancer, but when all the factors are taken into account, only a small proportion of women benefit from the Gardasil vaccine. Studies have shown that approximately 5% of women will have persistent HPV infections, the causative agent for HPV-associated cancers. Limiting sexual partners and sexual contact can prevent HPV infection. Other risk factors can also be limited and prevent some infections. Regular pelvic exams and Pap smears are still the best intervention.

Reference

Rousseau , M.C. et al., 2001. Cervical coinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types as a predictor of acquisition and persistence of HPV infection. The Journal of infectious diseases, 184(12), p.1508-17.

Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
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