Cancer de Colo Uterino: Desenvolvimento, Diagnóstico, Tratamento e Marcadores Moleculares

摘要

Cervical cancer ranks second worldwide. It is estimated that in Brazil some 17,540 new cases occur every year, or rather, 17 cases for every 100,000 females. HPV viruses may be found in about 90% of cervical cancer cases. It is highly important to take into consideration the presence of the virus in patients with cervical cancer. Papanicolaou test has been the main tool to detect and diagnose cervical cancer cases even though other methods, such as colposcopy, immunohistochemical staining, in situ hybridization, PCR and Southern Blot, may be employed. Molecular markers also help in the diagnosis of cancer. They distinguish high and low degree lesions and evaluate progression risk and regression chances. Protein p53, MIB-1, MYC, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70 are among the markers already detected, with special reference to ProEx C which may be compared to p16, the most routinely used marker. Treatment is based on surgery, radiotherapy, antiviral drugs and other agents such as interferon. Since cervical cancer is highly focused at present, current analysis forwards the main topics related to the disease, featuring development, diagnosis, treatment and molecular markers which made easy diagnosis, clinical follow-up and treatment of cancer.