Modeling and Simulation of Different Stages of Growth and Response to Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Today, cancer is one of the health concerns in modern societies. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the cervix. Cervical cancer is one of the fatal cancers in women. Computational models are suitable for simulating complex phenomena such as cancer. Studying cervical cancer through computer modeling and simulation is an effective way to investigate and predict tumor behavior and patients’ response to treatment methods. The objective of this study was to develop a model to simulate the growth and treatment of cervical cancer and study it and analyze the process of chemotherapy in different stages of cervical cancer. Method: In this research, library study and NetLogo software tool were used for modeling and simulation. First, the anatomy of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, vagina, lymph nodes around the uterus, liver, and lungs was designed and modeled. Then, different stages of cervical cancer were modeled according to TNM system and based on the way the cancer cells spread, tumor growth and spread were simulated and investigated in each stage. The control of tumor by chemotherapy mechanism was also modeled. Results: The model developed in this study provided the possibility of observing and investigating the growth and spread of tumor in different stages of cervical cancer. Predicting how the cervical tumor grows and behaves is one of the capabilities of the developed model. Conclusion: This model can be used as an appropriate tool to understand different stages of cervical cancer.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• cervical cancer modeling
• cervical cancer simulation