Introduction
In gynecological cancers, means more particularly the 3 following conditions:

* Cancer of the endometrium
* Cancer of the cervix
* Cancer of the ovary.

Cancer of the cervix, with the breast is the most common cancers in women. It kills around 300 000 women each year worldwide. Yet this disease is likely to cure in 100% of cases if diagnosed early. The real battle lies in an effective organization for testing.

Anatomy
The cervix is shaped like a truncated cone in the vagina. It is accessible to sight and touch.

In its center, leads the cervical canal which joins the uterus.
Causes
Cancer of the cervix is closely linked to sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections by certain types of viruses.

The risk factors are mainly:

* First sexual intercourse at a young age,
* Multiple partners,
* Aging
* Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV)
* Smoking.



Symptoms
It is often abnormal vaginal bleeding or abnormal vaginal discharge.

These symptoms occur spontaneously during or smear during sexual intercourse.
Prevention
The smear is the best prevention.

This test should be performed systematically and 1 times per year, especially by women sexually active or over the age of 18.

Indeed, the precancerous lesions are usually insidious and often give no symptoms.

The smear is a test simple, effective and painless. It involves removing cells from the cervix so that they are examined under a microscope. Thus, it is possible to detect early abnormal cells.

There are two main forms of cancer of the cervix uteri:

- Squamous cell carcinoma of the ectocervix (outer collar)

- Adenocarcinoma often affecting the junction between the external and internal collar.

There is also a new test for HPV or HPV by sampling cervical cells. This virus is transmitted sexually and also promotes the development of cervical cancer.


Treatments
The treatment of cervical cancer of the uterus depends on the stage of disease progression, the tumor size, age of the patient's overall health and his desire to preserve her fertility.

The earliest form of cervical cancer is carcinoma in situ (stage 0). This cancer is noninvasive and can be treated using various techniques such as:

* Cryotherapy (destruction by cold),
* Conization (removal of the cervix with a cone shaped piece)
* Laser treatment,
* Occasionally hysterectomy (removal of the uterus in its entirety).

At stage 1, the tumor invades surrounding healthy tissue but does not exceed the cervix.

In this case, the choice of treatment options is as follows:

* Hysterectomy,
* Conization,
* The internal or external radiation therapy (more rarely).

At stage 2, cancer has spread beyond the cervix but remains localized in the pelvic region.

Here, the choice of treatment includes:

* An internal or external radiation therapy (brachytherapy)
* Or a hysterectomy with removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and lymph. This surgery may be preceded or followed by radiotherapy or brachytherapy.

At stage 3, cancer has invaded tissues throughout the pelvic region. Surgery is possible, then, an internal or external radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy.

Finally, stage 4 cancer has spread to other parts of the body and is then heavier treatment combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy.