RT Book, Section
A1 Dooley-Hash, Suzanne
A1 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181041633
T1 Cervical Cancer
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181041633
RD 2024/04/23
AB Cervical  cancer  was  once  one  of  the  most  common  causes  of  death  from  cancer  in  US  women;  however,  deaths  have  decreased  significantly  with  the  use  of  routine  Pap  smears,  which  can  detect  precancerous  changes  and  prompt  early  treatment.  It  is  most  commonly  diagnosed  between  the  ages  of  35  and  44,  but  risk  increases  with  age,  and  more  than  15%  of  new  cases  are  in  women  older  than  age  65.  It  is  rare  in  women  younger  than  20.  Squamous  cell  carcinoma  accounts  for  90%  of  cases,  with  adenocarcinoma  being  the  second  most  common.  Risk  factors  include  infection  with  human  papillomavirus  (HPV),  smoking,  chlamydial  infections,  immunosuppression,  intrauterine  device  (IUD)  use,  family  history,  multiple  full-term  pregnancies,  early  age  at  1st  pregnancy,  and  long-term  oral  contraceptive  use.  Most  cervical  cancer  or  precancerous  lesions  are  found  incidentally  or  during  routine  gynecologic  exam.  More  advanced  cases  may  present  with  pelvic  discomfort,  vaginal  bleeding  or  discharge,  bleeding  after  intercourse,  and  dyspareunia.  Speculum  examination  with  careful  visual  inspection  of  the  cervix  is  key  to  identification.  Definitive  diagnosis  is  made  by  biopsy.