Overview

Cancer is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the uncontrolled growth or expansion of aberrant cells in a particular part of the body. Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, which is the narrow end of the uterus, located in the abdomen region. Cervical cancer manifests itself in 4 stages, where stage 1 is the initial and less dangerous stage and stage 4 is the most advanced and potentially life-threatening stage.

In this article, we will shed light on stage 1 cervical cancer, its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options.

What Is Stage 1 Cervical Cancer?

Stage 1 cervical cancer is the initial stage where the cancer is confined only to the cervix, making it more treatable as compared to the other stages. It has two parts: Stage 1A and Stage 1B, which describe more about the location, growth, and severity of the condition.

Stage 1A: In this stage, the growths are so small that they can only be seen with the help of a microscope or colposcope. It is further divided into two stages:
Stage 1A1: Here the cells can only be seen through microinvasion and are present not deeper than 3 millimetres inside the cervical tissues.
Stage 1A2: The cells can be seen with the naked eye and are extended between 3-5 millimetres inside the cervical tissues.
Stage 1B: In this stage, the cancer can be seen invading much deeper into the cervical tissues but within the cervix. It is further divided into three stages:
Stage 1B1: Here the cancer cells have extended beyond 5 millimetres in size but not more than 2 centimetres into the cervical tissues.
Stage 1B2: Here the cancer cells extend more than 2 centimetres into the cervical tissues.
Stage 1B3: Here, cancer has invaded deeper than 4 centimetres into the cervical tissues.

Causes Of Cervical Cancer

Stage 1 cervical cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells into the cervix, present in the lower part of the uterus. Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the persistent growth of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) inside the cervix. HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, can result in major changes in the cervical cells, increasing the risk of cervical cancer.

Other potential causes of cervical cancer are as follows:

Weak Immune System: Certain medications and health conditions can potentially weaken the healthy functioning of the immune system and increase the risk of catching infections and cervical cancer.
Multiple Full-Term Pregnancies: Women with three or more full-term pregnancies develop a higher risk of cervical cancer due to pregnancy’s hormonal changes that can potentially affect the cervical cells.
Regular Smoking: It can potentially increase the risk of cervical cancer in women, as the chemicals present in tobacco can damage the DNA of the cervical cells, making them more susceptible to HPV, which further causes cervical cancer.
Long-Term Use of Birth Controls: Taking birth control regularly over an extended period can trigger hormonal changes, which in turn can affect the cervical cells.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Stage 1 Cervical Cancer?

Stage 1 cervical cancer can exhibit symptoms such as

Pelvic Pain: Cervical cancer can cause immense pelvic pain, resulting in intolerable discomfort and agony, often during intercourse or during other times
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding: unusual vaginal bleeding, especially during the intercourse, bleeding in between the periods, or after the menopause.
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge: abnormal and excessive vaginal discharge that is either bloody or contains a foul odour indicating the presence of cervical cancer.
Pain while Urinating: Most common during the advanced stages of cervical cancer, pain or a burning sensation during urination.

Other potential symptoms include backaches, kidney problems, swelling in the legs, fatigue, and weight loss.

Diagnosis Of Stage 1 Cervical Cancer

Stage 1 cervical cancer can be diagnosed via a pap smear screening test, colposcopy, HPV test, and biopsy to identify the presence of cancerous cells inside the cervix.

Treatment For Stage 1 Cervical Cancer

Stage 1 cervical cancer can be treated via:

Surgeries: The doctors may perform surgeries like cone therapy for the removal of the cancerous tissues and a hysterectomy where the entire uterus is removed to prevent the growth of the cancer into other parts of the body.
Targeted Therapy: This therapy targets the cancerous cells without affecting the surrounding normal and healthy cells.
Chemotherapy: This procedure incorporates the use of certain drugs that can potentially kill cancer cells. This procedure is often performed along with surgery and radiation therapy.
Radiation Therapy: This procedure uses high-energy rays to target and kill the cancer cells. Radiation Therapy is performed in conjunction with surgery to prevent cancer recurrence.

Stage 1 cervical stage is a potentially curable stage. Regular screenings and health checkups can help detect cancer in its early stages and make it treatable and curable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stage 1 Cervical Cancer

Q1. What happens in stage 1 cervical cancer?
A1. Stage 1 cervical cancer means the cancer is confined only within the cervical region and has not spread to the surrounding tissues and organs.

Q2. How many stages are there in cervical cancer?
A2. Cervical cancer can manifest itself in 4 stages. Stage 1 is treatable and least dangerous; stage 4 is the most dangerous and life-threatening.

Q3. What is the best treatment for stage 1 cervical cancer?
A3. Stage 1 cervical cancer can be treated via surgeries paired with radiation and targeted therapies. Consult your healthcare professional for a more detailed treatment plan.

Q4. Can we survive stage 1 cervical cancer?
A4. yes! Getting immediate medical attention and treatment can help you eliminate cancer at a very early stage.

Q5. Do you need chemo for stage 1 cervical cancer?
A5. Stage 1 cervical cancer is usually treated with surgeries combined with radiation and chemotherapies.

Reference:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/stages-types-grades/stage-1
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12216-cervical-cancer