Table of contents:
- Body condition due to complications of cervical cancer
- Complications due to advanced cervical cancer
- 1. Pain due to the spread of cancer
- 2. Kidney failure
- 3. Blood clots
- 4. Excessive bleeding
- 5. Fistula
- 6. Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Cervical cancer complications due to treatment
- 1. Early menopause
- 2. Narrowing of the vagina
- 3. The appearance of lymphedema
Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest diseases that can affect women. When it is not treated immediately and has entered an advanced stage, cervical cancer can cause various other problems. Check out some of the possible complications that arise due to cervical cancer in the following review.
Body condition due to complications of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer can occur when abnormal cells in the cervix (cervix) grow uncontrollably. These abnormal changes in cervical cancer cells are generally caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Initially, these abnormal cells only grow around the cervix and do not cause any symptoms.
The absence of symptoms that indicate cervical cancer makes many people less likely to do early detection of cervical cancer, such as pap smears or IVA examinations. In fact, if you do early detection regularly, you can spot any oddities from the start so that you can prevent complications.
But unfortunately, most cervical cancer patients only come for treatment after experiencing advanced stage complications. As many as 70% of cases found are already in advanced stage cervical cancer. This means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to cure.
If you do not immediately undergo cervical cancer treatment, either using medical drugs or natural cervical cancer treatment, of course it can cause you to experience various complications due to cervical cancer.
Complications due to advanced cervical cancer
As cancer cells develop and spread, there are several complications due to cervical cancer at an advanced stage that may occur, including:
1. Pain due to the spread of cancer
A possible complication from cervical cancer is severe pain when the cancer has spread to your nerves, bones, or muscles. However, some pain relievers can usually be used to relieve the pain.
If pain relief does not help much, try to talk to your doctor about other drug options that may have a stronger effect. Short-term radiotherapy is also effective for pain control.
2. Kidney failure
Reporting from the NHS, one of the conditions that can occur due to cervical cancer is kidney failure. The kidneys function to remove waste from the body.
This waste is excreted through the urine through channels called ureters. Kidney function can be monitored through a simple blood test called a serum creatinine level.
In some cases of advanced cervical cancer, cancer can cause complications because it presses on the ureter. This causes obstructed flow of urine out of the kidneys. The accumulation of urine in the kidneys is known as hydronephrosis.
This condition can cause the kidneys to swell and stretch. Severe hydronephrosis can damage the kidneys and thus lose all function. This condition is known as kidney failure.
3. Blood clots
Almost the same as other cancers, another result of cervical cancer is blood clots. The risk increases after chemotherapy and postoperative rest.
In addition, the appearance of a large tumor can put pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvis. This is what slows back blood flow, and eventually cervical cancer results in complications in the form of clots in the legs.
This condition can be very fatal if a blood clot from the veins in the legs travels to the lungs and blocks the blood supply to the lungs. This condition is known as a pulmonary embolism.
This condition that occurs in the legs can be treated with a combination of blood thinning drugs, such as heparin or warfarin. Bandaging stockings or leggings can also help improve blood circulation throughout the body.
4. Excessive bleeding
Excessive bleeding can occur if complications from cervical cancer have spread to the vagina, intestines, or bladder. Complications due to cervical cancer can appear in the rectum or in the vagina. There can also be bleeding when urinating.
Small bleeding can be treated with a drug called tranexamic acid. This medicine can help the blood to clot so that it stops bleeding. Radiotherapy is also effective in stopping bleeding from cancer.
5. Fistula
Fistulas are rare complications due to cervical cancer. Usually, only about one in 50 cases of advanced cervical cancer are experienced.
A fistula is the formation of an abnormal connection or channel between two parts of the body. In cases of cervical cancer, a connection can form between the bladder and vagina.
This condition can result in the incessant excretion of urine from the vagina. Sometimes, a fistula can occur between the vagina and rectum.
Usually surgery is needed to correct this condition. However, the procedure is often impossible in women with advanced cervical cancer, because the patient is already very weak.
6. Abnormal vaginal discharge
One of the symptoms of cervical cancer that may arise as a result of this condition is abnormal vaginal discharge. Abnormal discharge due to cervical cancer can have an unpleasant odor and is excessive.
The discharge can appear due to several causes, such as damage to the tissue cells, damage to the bladder or intestines resulting in a leak, or due to a bacterial infection of the vaginal organs.
To treat this condition, you can use an antibacterial gel containing metronidazole. You can also wear clothes that contain charcoal (carbon). Carbon is a chemical compound that is very effective at absorbing bad odors.
Cervical cancer complications due to treatment
There are a series of treatments aimed at treating cervical cancer that you are experiencing. How to treat cervical cancer, which is generally the choice of starting from hysterectomy surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Although it can help reduce the severity of cervical cancer, this method of treatment carries the risk of one or more side effects. Here are some of the consequences that arise due to cervical cancer treatment:
1. Early menopause
One of the consequences of cervical cancer treatment is premature menopause. Early menopause can occur when the uterus and ovaries are removed surgically, or it can be because the uterus and ovaries are damaged during treatment with radiotherapy.
2. Narrowing of the vagina
One of the consequences that arise due to cervical cancer radiotherapy is a narrowing of the vagina. This condition can make sex difficult, even very painful. However, this condition does not make you infertile.
To prevent pain, you can apply hormonal cream to the vagina to increase the moisture in the vagina, so that sex can be easier. In addition, a vaginal dilator can also be used to treat it.
3. The appearance of lymphedema
Lymphedema is one of the complications that may arise due to cervical cancer treatment. Lymphedema is swelling that generally appears on the hands or feet because the lymphatic (lymph) system is blocked.
The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system and the body's circulatory system. If lymph nodes are removed from your pelvis, the lymphatic system may not function normally.
In fact, one of the functions of the lymphatic system is to remove excess fluid from the body's tissues. Any disruption in this process can lead to a buildup of fluid in the body's tissues, leading to swelling.
In people with cervical cancer, this complication usually occurs in the legs. To reduce the swelling that occurs, you can do special massage exercises and techniques. Special bandages or dressings can also help to overcome complications due to cervical cancer treatment on this one.
So that you don't have to face the possibility of complications or side effects due to treatment, you are encouraged to take efforts to prevent cervical cancer.