Correlation between cervical cancer and vaginal microbes

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a serious disease endangering the health of women, which is next only to breast cancer and colon cancer. There are nearly 130 000 new cases of cervical cancer arise in China each year, accounting for 1/5 of the total number of new cases in the world. Epidemiological survey has found that cervical cancer is related to various factors, such as human papilloma virus infection, multiple sexual partners, smoking, premature sexual life, sexually transmitted diseases, economic status and immunosuppression. Cervical cancer is pathologically characterized by cervical dysplasia cervical atypical hyperplasia (mild, moderate, severe) to carcinoma in situ and to infiltrating carcinoma. Female vagina is a relatively anoxic and unique dynamic micro ecological system colonized with a large number of bacteria. And the vaginal microflora is the kernel of maintaining vaginal micro ecological balance. The uterine cervix is directly exposed to the vagina, and is closely related to vaginal microbes. However, there are few reports on the direct relationship between cervical cancer and vaginal microbes. In this review, the roles and significance of vaginal microbial imbalance and common vaginal infections in cervical cancer will be discussed from different angles. Key words: Cervical cancer; Vaginal microbe; Human papilloma virus; Vaginal infection