Pregnancy And Cervical Cancer
Published on Jun 04 2010, in the categories: Pregnancy issues
The cervix is the passageway that connects the uterus and the vagina and it represents in fact the structure that dilates at childbirth and with its help the baby can go through the birth canal. Sometimes the cervix can present some abnormalities in its tissue like lesions or warts and that can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Premalignant changes in the cervix are easily detected by Pap tests. Such screening procedures, if done regularly can prevent you from ever having cervical cancer and can guarantee 100% chances of curing precancerous lesions like dysplasia.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
The cause for cervical cancer is not known but there are strong connections between this cancer and HPV infection, life-style and sex. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that is found in 80% of the patients with cervical cancer. However most women infected with HPV never develop cancer of the cervix. Abstinence is the only way of preventing the cancer, but even then a different type of cell, less common can lead to the same condition. Statistics show that the single most effective weapon against cervical cancer is the Pap test. For the rest, all sexually active women are at risk for having this cancer and their risk can increase if they smoke and are promiscuous.
All these apply in the case of cancer being developed during pregnancy. Pregnant women must also make sure to undergo their regular Pap screening or even start with them right then if they haven't ever had one done before. Pregnant women can also have abnormal test results but they shouldn't panic especially if it hasn't been more than a year since their last Pap smear. Usually, the pregnancy is not related to any cervical problems and cervical lesions don't have an impact on the pregnancy. Measures you should however take to keep your baby safe include not going through biopsy tests during the first trimester as before its end the risk of miscarriage is approximately 20%. Sometimes biopsy is performed and miscarriage occurs without any connection with the biopsy, though undoubtedly the blame will fall on the later.
Pregnant women are usually not pressured to diagnose and treat premalignant conditions during their pregnancy as treatment can be postponed until birth. However, if what she is dealing with is an invasive cancer the situation changes completely. She will need to make sure about diagnosis through a colposcopic examination. If it is still not possible to avoid biopsy the best time for them to be performed is in the early second trimester. As mentioned before, in the first trimester there's a higher risk for miscarriage but also in the last semester biopsies increase the risk of premature birth.
If invasive cancer is the final diagnosis women must immediately begin the standard treatment for cervical cancer. The doctor might however consider that the treatment can be delayed until the baby can be delivered but this decision must be taken after more tests to accurately establish the stage of the cancer. If the diagnosis is made after the 24th week, it is reasonable for the treatment to wait until the 32nd week when the baby reaches lung maturity.
To prevent invasive cancer all women should best schedule themselves for regular Pap screenings.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
The cause for cervical cancer is not known but there are strong connections between this cancer and HPV infection, life-style and sex. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that is found in 80% of the patients with cervical cancer. However most women infected with HPV never develop cancer of the cervix. Abstinence is the only way of preventing the cancer, but even then a different type of cell, less common can lead to the same condition. Statistics show that the single most effective weapon against cervical cancer is the Pap test. For the rest, all sexually active women are at risk for having this cancer and their risk can increase if they smoke and are promiscuous.
All these apply in the case of cancer being developed during pregnancy. Pregnant women must also make sure to undergo their regular Pap screening or even start with them right then if they haven't ever had one done before. Pregnant women can also have abnormal test results but they shouldn't panic especially if it hasn't been more than a year since their last Pap smear. Usually, the pregnancy is not related to any cervical problems and cervical lesions don't have an impact on the pregnancy. Measures you should however take to keep your baby safe include not going through biopsy tests during the first trimester as before its end the risk of miscarriage is approximately 20%. Sometimes biopsy is performed and miscarriage occurs without any connection with the biopsy, though undoubtedly the blame will fall on the later.
Pregnant women are usually not pressured to diagnose and treat premalignant conditions during their pregnancy as treatment can be postponed until birth. However, if what she is dealing with is an invasive cancer the situation changes completely. She will need to make sure about diagnosis through a colposcopic examination. If it is still not possible to avoid biopsy the best time for them to be performed is in the early second trimester. As mentioned before, in the first trimester there's a higher risk for miscarriage but also in the last semester biopsies increase the risk of premature birth.
If invasive cancer is the final diagnosis women must immediately begin the standard treatment for cervical cancer. The doctor might however consider that the treatment can be delayed until the baby can be delivered but this decision must be taken after more tests to accurately establish the stage of the cancer. If the diagnosis is made after the 24th week, it is reasonable for the treatment to wait until the 32nd week when the baby reaches lung maturity.
To prevent invasive cancer all women should best schedule themselves for regular Pap screenings.
Cervical Cancer And Pregnancy
Published on May 17 2010, in the categories: Pregnancy issues
First of all, pregnant women usually don't develop cervical cancer. Even so, it can still occur in which case there are two chances. If the cancer is diagnosed in a very early stage you can still go through with the pregnancy with very little risk. If the cancer is not found on time the risks grow exponentially. In this later case the woman should take the decision of terminating or not the pregnancy together with her oncologist. Chances may still vary from case to case. Doctors will look at the fetus’s condition and the impact on the reproductive system.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
If the woman decides to go through with the pregnancy all doctors recommend that the baby is delivered through a cesarean section and followed by hysterectomy. If the woman is less fortunate the pregnancy will probably be terminated through radiation therapy or hysterectomy.
How can we be sure that going though with the pregnancy is a valid option? If the cancer is in stage 0 you can go on with this investigation. The next conditions necessary for considering this option are that the cancer cells are confined to only the cervix, that the cancer is less that 3 mm deep within the tissue and that the site is not larger than 10 mm in any direction. You also need to make sure that there are no signs of cancer in the blood vessels or the lymph. If all these variables are on your side you can hope for the best.
If being in stage 0 is not the case there is still a chance for keeping the baby. For example, if the woman chooses to undergo a radical trachelectomy in order to treat the cancer, she still has part of her cervix intact, just enough to support a pregnancy.Howrever, this procedure also greatly increases the risk to miscarry the baby or of having a premature birth. This procedure requires invariably that the baby is born through Caesarean section.
The decision for a treatment also depends on how far of the woman is with the pregnancy at the moment of diagnosis. If she is over 3 months pregnant the doctor will most likely recommend that she goes through with the pregnancy before starting the treatment. This of course also depends on the extent to which the cancer has spread. Caesarean should be performed as soon as the baby develops enough to be born, followed as said above by the complete removal of the uterus.
More than 6 months is too long a time to postpone treatment, so if you are less than three months pregnant you are most likely to start treatment as soon as possible, before the cancer spreads. This will also mean that you will probably lose the baby.
This matter has to be thought about with careful consideration and your own life should be a priority as that of the baby's also depends on your own.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
If the woman decides to go through with the pregnancy all doctors recommend that the baby is delivered through a cesarean section and followed by hysterectomy. If the woman is less fortunate the pregnancy will probably be terminated through radiation therapy or hysterectomy.
How can we be sure that going though with the pregnancy is a valid option? If the cancer is in stage 0 you can go on with this investigation. The next conditions necessary for considering this option are that the cancer cells are confined to only the cervix, that the cancer is less that 3 mm deep within the tissue and that the site is not larger than 10 mm in any direction. You also need to make sure that there are no signs of cancer in the blood vessels or the lymph. If all these variables are on your side you can hope for the best.
If being in stage 0 is not the case there is still a chance for keeping the baby. For example, if the woman chooses to undergo a radical trachelectomy in order to treat the cancer, she still has part of her cervix intact, just enough to support a pregnancy.Howrever, this procedure also greatly increases the risk to miscarry the baby or of having a premature birth. This procedure requires invariably that the baby is born through Caesarean section.
The decision for a treatment also depends on how far of the woman is with the pregnancy at the moment of diagnosis. If she is over 3 months pregnant the doctor will most likely recommend that she goes through with the pregnancy before starting the treatment. This of course also depends on the extent to which the cancer has spread. Caesarean should be performed as soon as the baby develops enough to be born, followed as said above by the complete removal of the uterus.
More than 6 months is too long a time to postpone treatment, so if you are less than three months pregnant you are most likely to start treatment as soon as possible, before the cancer spreads. This will also mean that you will probably lose the baby.
This matter has to be thought about with careful consideration and your own life should be a priority as that of the baby's also depends on your own.
Cervical Cancer During Pregnancy
Published on Apr 24 2010, in the categories: Pregnancy issues
As we know, the cervical cancer is the development of abnormal cells in the cervix area. The cervix is the opening of the uterus that communicates with the vagina. This disease has a long term development and symptoms of the cancer may appear only in the terminal stages of the disease. But, in some cases the development of the cervical cancer may happen in less then 12 months. Cancer is a disordered and unpredictable development of abnormal cells. If the cervical cancer is diagnosed in early stages then it may be treated with real chances of curing, but if the cervical cancer is diagnosed in terminal stages the chances of curing decrease.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
When a woman is pregnant, and when an abnormal Pap smear test is obtained the evaluation is modified. In general the pregnancy and the cervical cancer problem have no effect one to another. But, in the same time, during the first trimester of the pregnancy the cervix should not be manipulated or to have done a biopsy, because the risk of a miscarriage is about 20%. In some cases, even if the biopsy had been taken and the unfortunate miscarriage happened, the biopsy might not been the cause of the miscarriage.
During the pregnancy, there is no urgency to diagnose a pre cancerous or first stage condition, but is imperative to exclude or diagnose an invasive cancer. This diagnosis may be obtained through a procedure that will exclude biopsy, called colposcopic examination. The premalignant condition may wait to be treated until 6 weeks after the birth of the baby, but in some cases the biopsy must be done, so this intervention may be done in the early second trimester because is the proper period for eliminating the risk of a miscarriage. If the invasive cervical cancer is diagnosed during the pregnancy, the treatment is the same as for the cervical cancer patients who aren’t pregnant. Except the fact that, the treatment should be delayed until the baby is proper developed, all his organs are developed and functional and the woman may deliver the baby. This happens usually in the 32 and 36 pregnancy weeks. Cervical cancer diagnosed during the pregnancy is represented by rare cases. Sometimes doctors have a difficult task because there aren’t very much information regarding the delaying of the treatment for the cervical cancer.
In the end the final decision concerning starting the treatment or not during the pregnancy is yours, but first it is best that you have opinions from different specialist doctors. The best plan to prevent this situation, to be pregnant and in the same time to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, no matter its stage, could be prevented by taking the Pap smear test at least once a year. And before you get pregnant both future parents should do a full range of medical analysis, in order to prevent unfortunate things. The specialists say that during the pregnancy the cancerous cells located into the cervix are no more aggressive than to the women who aren’t pregnant.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
When a woman is pregnant, and when an abnormal Pap smear test is obtained the evaluation is modified. In general the pregnancy and the cervical cancer problem have no effect one to another. But, in the same time, during the first trimester of the pregnancy the cervix should not be manipulated or to have done a biopsy, because the risk of a miscarriage is about 20%. In some cases, even if the biopsy had been taken and the unfortunate miscarriage happened, the biopsy might not been the cause of the miscarriage.
During the pregnancy, there is no urgency to diagnose a pre cancerous or first stage condition, but is imperative to exclude or diagnose an invasive cancer. This diagnosis may be obtained through a procedure that will exclude biopsy, called colposcopic examination. The premalignant condition may wait to be treated until 6 weeks after the birth of the baby, but in some cases the biopsy must be done, so this intervention may be done in the early second trimester because is the proper period for eliminating the risk of a miscarriage. If the invasive cervical cancer is diagnosed during the pregnancy, the treatment is the same as for the cervical cancer patients who aren’t pregnant. Except the fact that, the treatment should be delayed until the baby is proper developed, all his organs are developed and functional and the woman may deliver the baby. This happens usually in the 32 and 36 pregnancy weeks. Cervical cancer diagnosed during the pregnancy is represented by rare cases. Sometimes doctors have a difficult task because there aren’t very much information regarding the delaying of the treatment for the cervical cancer.
In the end the final decision concerning starting the treatment or not during the pregnancy is yours, but first it is best that you have opinions from different specialist doctors. The best plan to prevent this situation, to be pregnant and in the same time to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, no matter its stage, could be prevented by taking the Pap smear test at least once a year. And before you get pregnant both future parents should do a full range of medical analysis, in order to prevent unfortunate things. The specialists say that during the pregnancy the cancerous cells located into the cervix are no more aggressive than to the women who aren’t pregnant.
Can You Get Pregnant With Cervical Cancer?
Published on Mar 08 2010, in the categories: Facts, Pregnancy issues, Useful info
Researchers say that it is possible that HPV is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth, but it is quite rare. In fact, the researchers believe that this happens in only 1.1 cases per 100 000 children. In those extremely rare cases, HPV infection affects the respiratory system of the newborn, which can result in growths similar to warts, usually on the larynx. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
Neither dysplasia nor its treatment can prevent you from getting pregnant. However, with the forms of treatment of dysplasia ablation (where the abnormal cells are removed), there is an increased risk of preterm delivery, Cesarean section or the baby being underweight at birth (especially if a large amount cervical tissue is removed).
If you want to procreate and have offspring and avoid serious damage to your reproductive system, try to find out all of your options from your doctor.
Having cancer of the uterus mean it that you can not have children? Invasive cancer of the cervix typically requires removal of the uterus. However, in young women with small tumors, it is possible to consider a procedure that is not very invasive which can leave the possibility of having offspring. This technique is called radical vaginal trachelectomy with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy.
If you are diagnosed with dysplasia or cancer of the cervix while you are pregnant, how are you treated?
Have French and American researchers indicate that if a CIN 2 or 3 (moderate or severe dysplasia) was diagnosed in a pregnant woman, treatment and examinations should be deferred until six weeks after childbirth.
In the case of women with invasive cancer of the cervix, treatment will depend on the stage of cancer and stage of pregnancy. If cancer is detected early and diagnosed during the last trimester of pregnancy, treatment may be postponed until after delivery.
Genital warts they affect pregnancy or childbirth? Most pregnant women with genital warts, or have ever had, have little risk of having complications related to HPV during pregnancy or childbirth. Although genital warts can multiply during pregnancy result in changes of body's immune system, treatment may be postponed until after delivery to see if they disappear spontaneously.
Most children born to mothers who have had genital warts were no complications related to HPV. It is very rare that the virus is transmitted to the child, causing varicose protuberances in the throat of the newborn. A cesarean delivery is usually recommended to prevent this rare phenomenon.
Do you perform a test for HPV during pregnancy?- Pregnancy does not change the screening program (Pap and HPV testing) recommended by your doctor. If you have your next smear and (if you are over 30 years) and your HPV test after becoming pregnant, go ahead. Otherwise, it is not necessary.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
Neither dysplasia nor its treatment can prevent you from getting pregnant. However, with the forms of treatment of dysplasia ablation (where the abnormal cells are removed), there is an increased risk of preterm delivery, Cesarean section or the baby being underweight at birth (especially if a large amount cervical tissue is removed).
If you want to procreate and have offspring and avoid serious damage to your reproductive system, try to find out all of your options from your doctor.
Having cancer of the uterus mean it that you can not have children? Invasive cancer of the cervix typically requires removal of the uterus. However, in young women with small tumors, it is possible to consider a procedure that is not very invasive which can leave the possibility of having offspring. This technique is called radical vaginal trachelectomy with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy.
If you are diagnosed with dysplasia or cancer of the cervix while you are pregnant, how are you treated?
Have French and American researchers indicate that if a CIN 2 or 3 (moderate or severe dysplasia) was diagnosed in a pregnant woman, treatment and examinations should be deferred until six weeks after childbirth.
In the case of women with invasive cancer of the cervix, treatment will depend on the stage of cancer and stage of pregnancy. If cancer is detected early and diagnosed during the last trimester of pregnancy, treatment may be postponed until after delivery.
Genital warts they affect pregnancy or childbirth? Most pregnant women with genital warts, or have ever had, have little risk of having complications related to HPV during pregnancy or childbirth. Although genital warts can multiply during pregnancy result in changes of body's immune system, treatment may be postponed until after delivery to see if they disappear spontaneously.
Most children born to mothers who have had genital warts were no complications related to HPV. It is very rare that the virus is transmitted to the child, causing varicose protuberances in the throat of the newborn. A cesarean delivery is usually recommended to prevent this rare phenomenon.
Do you perform a test for HPV during pregnancy?- Pregnancy does not change the screening program (Pap and HPV testing) recommended by your doctor. If you have your next smear and (if you are over 30 years) and your HPV test after becoming pregnant, go ahead. Otherwise, it is not necessary.