Cervical cancer is different from other types of cancer because it usually takes a long time to develop and is usually caused by a persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This slow progression gives us a crucial time to stop something from happening and help people early on. . At the International Oncology Cancer Institute (IOCI), we emphasize understanding the cervical cancer progression timeline to highlight the power of proactive health measures and regular screenings.

 

From Infection to Cancer: The Timeline of Cervical Cancer Development

 

The progression from HPV infection to invasive cervical cancer usually takes 10 to 20 years, but it can happen more quickly in people with weak immune systems. There are several different stages in this process: 

1. The timeline starts when a woman (or anyone with a cervix) gets a high-risk strain of HPV. Most HPV infections go away on their own within a year or two, thanks to the body's immune system. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that happens a lot. 

2. Changes in cells (dysplasia/precancerous): In a few cases, the HPV virus can stay in the body when the immune system can't get rid of the infection. This ongoing infection could cause the cells on the surface of the cervix to change in strange ways. People often call these changes precancerous lesions, and they are also known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN). The CIN scale goes from 1 to 3, with CIN1 showing mild changes and CIN3 showing severe precancerous changes that are very likely to turn into cancer. These changes usually don't come with any symptoms. 

3. If CIN3 is not treated, it could eventually turn into carcinoma in situ, which is when cells on the outside of the cervix are abnormal but have not yet spread to deeper tissues. This is known as Stage 0. 

4. Invasive cervical cancer (stages I–IV): This type of cancer happens when abnormal cells break through the basement membrane and spread to the deeper tissues of the cervix. The cancer is now divided into four stages based on how far it has spread. 

• Stage I: There is only cervical cancer. 
• Stage II: The cancer has spread beyond the cervix, but it hasn't yet reached the pelvic wall or lower vagina. 
• Stage III: The cancer has spread to the lower vagina, the pelvic wall, or is causing problems with the kidneys. 
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to organs far away, like the bladder or rectum. 

 

The good news is that this long time frame gives you a lot of time to act. The importance of regular cancer screenings is paramount in intercepting this progression. The Pap and HPV tests are examples of cervical screening tests that look for these precancerous changes or high-risk HPV before cancer even starts. For instance, in India, organizations like the FOGSI and ISCCP tell women to get Pap smears and/or HPV tests at certain times. If doctors find and treat abnormal cells early on, they can stop invasive cancer from growing. This is often done with simple, minimally invasive methods like cone biopsies, LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure), or colposcopies. 

 

Recognizing Advanced Symptoms & Taking Action: The Power of Screening and HPV Vaccination

 

Pelvic pain, pain during sex, unusual vaginal discharge (watery, bloody, or foul-smelling), and abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex, or after menopause) are all signs of later stages of cervical cancer. The principle that early detection saves lives in cancer is particularly vivid with cervical cancer.   

We at IOCI strongly support both getting screened regularly and getting the HPV vaccine, which can stop the first infection with high-risk HPV types. This two-part plan offers the best protection against cervical cancer, turning a disease that used to be one of the most common causes of cancer death into one that can mostly be avoided and easily treated. 

Consult us at any of our locations—across IOCI Noida, Greater Noida, Mumbai, Indore, Aurangabad, Agartala, Saharanpur, Kanpur and Jodhpur.