Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer worldwide, strongly linked to high-risk human papilloma virus infection. Although screening programs have led to a relevant reduction in the incidence and mortality due to CC in developed countries, it is still an important cause of mortality in undeveloped countries. Clinical stage is still the most relevant prognostic factor. In early stages, the primary treatment is surgery or radiotherapy, whereas concomitant chemo-radiotherapy is the conventional approach in locally advanced stages. In the setting of recurrent or metastatic CC, for the first time ever, the combination of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab prolongs the overall survival beyond 12 months. Therefore, this regimen is considered by most of the oncologist a new standard of care for metastatic/recurrent CC.
Highlights
Cervical cancer represents a unique disease in the field of oncology due to the presence of well-established risk factors, a long pre-invasive period which allows the use of screening tests, a very well-established etiologic agent, namely Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the availability of effective preventive vaccination against this infection.Every year 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths occur worldwide being the majority of them reported in developing countries because of the lack of access to screening programs based on Pap smear
In the setting of recurrent or metastatic CC, for the first time ever, the combination of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab prolongs the overall survival beyond 12 months
Cervical cancer represents a unique disease in the field of oncology due to the presence of well-established risk factors, a long pre-invasive period which allows the use of screening tests, a very well-established etiologic agent, namely HPV infection and the availability of effective preventive vaccination against this infection
Summary
Cervical cancer represents a unique disease in the field of oncology due to the presence of well-established risk factors, a long pre-invasive period which allows the use of screening tests, a very well-established etiologic agent, namely HPV infection and the availability of effective preventive vaccination against this infection. Every year 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths occur worldwide being the majority of them reported in developing countries because of the lack of access to screening programs based on Pap smear. In the industrialized countries due to the implementation of the population screening campaigns, the incidence of cervical cancer has dramatically decreased [1]. The majority of women will be able to clear the HPV infection during the 2 years after its onset, some of them will develop a persistence of the virus in the cervical epithelium, leading to the development of a pre-malignant lesion and eventually. Vaccines against HPV 16 and 18 have demonstrated a clear reduction in the development of pre-invasive lesions. Even with well-established screening programs, women will develop cervical cancer. Treatment approaches for women affected by invasive cervical cancer are presented in these guidelines
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