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Cervical cancer
How is cervical cancer screened?
Research has shown that cervical cancer can be prevented and cured. The primary condition for curing cervical cancer is early detection and treatment, so cervical cancer screening is very important. There are three levels of cervical cancer screening. The first level includes a TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) testing. If any abnormalities are found in these tests, a colposcopy examination is needed. Under colposcopy, the condition of the cervix is observed, and if lesions are found, the process moves to the third level, which involves taking a biopsy of the cervical tissue for histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis and rule out cervical cancer transformation.
Will anything grow on the cervix in the early stages of cervical cancer?
In the early stages of cervical cancer, a minority of patients may develop growths on the cervix, but most exhibit erosive changes or thickening of the cervix. Early-stage cervical cancer generally involves a small area of cancerous tissue, with localized lesions and shallow infiltration depth. Many symptoms manifest as recurrent cervical erosion that is difficult to heal completely. There are also a few cases where small nodular lesions appear on the cervix. These small nodules generally do not cause significant damage to the cervix and present with mild clinical symptoms. Many patients only experience mild vaginal bleeding and discharge, with rare occurrences of pain, fever, general fatigue, weight loss, or other systemic symptoms in clinical settings.
Does cervical cancer cause anemia in the early stages?
Cervical cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in gynecology, and a small number of patients with cervical cancer may experience anemia in the early stages. This is because the main clinical symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer patients are mainly vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge. As the amount of vaginal bleeding in patients with cervical cancer is not significantly related to the stage of the cancer, some patients in the early stages of cervical cancer may have a large amount of vaginal bleeding, which can lead to mild anemia. In some cases, patients may experience severe bleeding, which can lead to anemia-induced shock. For patients with cervical cancer, in addition to vaginal bleeding, some patients may also experience an increase in vaginal secretions and vaginal discharge. Young women may also experience an extension of the menstrual cycle and an increase in menstrual volume, all of which can cause anemia in patients clinically.
Does cervical cancer hurt?
Women with cervical cancer usually have no specific clinical symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the tumor increases in size, some women may experience contact bleeding, which occurs after sexual intercourse. As the cancer grows and compresses the surrounding tissues, it can cause local feelings of distension and even pain. In some women, the spread of cancer cells can compress nerves in the pelvic area, also causing localized pain. However, this generally occurs in the later stages of the disease. By this advanced stage, the pain caused by the tumor cannot be alleviated by ordinary analgesics, and drugs like morphine are usually required for pain relief. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Will the cervix rot in the late stages of cervical cancer?
In late-stage cervical cancer, some patients experience severe local tumor infiltration which can lead to tissue necrosis. This necrosis often leads to secondary infections, thereby causing severe complications such as septic shock. In treating such patients, in addition to administering anti-tumor therapies, the primary treatment involves the use of antibiotics to control the infection, to prevent potentially fatal complications such as septic shock. Furthermore, the disease in most patients with late-stage cervical cancer typically presents as widespread dissemination. This dissemination is primarily manifested by metastasis to distant lymph nodes and infiltration of surrounding tissues, as well as metastasis to remote organs like the lungs, liver, and other abdominal organs. Clinically, patients mainly exhibit symptoms related to these metastatic sites.
What are the causes of cervical cancer?
Clinically, the causes of cervical cancer include the following aspects: First, the incidence of cervical cancer significantly increases in women who start sexual activity at an early age or have multiple sexual partners. Second, genetic factors also play a certain role in the development of cervical cancer. Third, the female population with malnutrition or chronic inflammatory diseases of the cervix can also lead to a high incidence of cervical cancer. Fourth, women with sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and genital warts, can also cause cervical cancer. Fifth, some women with viral infections may also undergo carcinogenic changes in the cervix, thus forming cervical cancer.
Can cervical cancer be cured?
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor of the cervix, severely endangering the health of a broad demographic of women. Currently, treatment options for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. While these methods can extend the patient's lifespan, clinically, cervical cancer cannot be completely cured. For early-stage cervical cancer, various treatments can significantly prolong the patient's life, but a complete cure cannot be guaranteed.
There are several types of cervical cancer vaccines.
There are three types of cervical cancer vaccines: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent, and the recommended vaccination ages vary for each. The bivalent cervical cancer vaccine is suitable for females aged 9 to 45; the quadrivalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 20 to 45; the nonavalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 16 to 26. Vaccinations can be scheduled at hospitals within these age ranges. The younger the age at vaccination, the higher the antibody production after receiving the cervical cancer vaccine, meaning the effectiveness is better.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is contact bleeding, which can manifest as bloody vaginal discharge and bleeding after sexual intercourse, as well as intermittent vaginal bleeding outside of menstrual periods. Additionally, it can present with malignant vaginal discharge, increased vaginal secretion accompanied by an unpleasant odor or foul smell, and sometimes purulent discharge. If the cervical cancer tumor spreads to adjacent organs, such as the bladder or kidneys, symptoms may include frequent urination, urinary urgency, back pain, and swelling of the lower limbs. In advanced stages, symptoms can also include anemia, fever, and weight loss.
How long does it take for cervical cancer to develop?
Cervical cancer generally forms beginning with an infection of human papillomavirus (HPV), and it usually takes five to ten years to develop into cervical cancer. The vast majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by contact with HPV. If this virus continues to replicate in the body, it typically progresses to cervical cancer over a period of five to ten years. Therefore, cervical cancer screening is crucial for women. If regular check-ups are performed annually during this period, it is possible to halt the progression to cervical cancer and its precursors. Cervical cancer screening generally includes routine TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV testing. These two tests can preliminarily screen for cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. If any abnormalities are detected, it is essential to undergo a colposcopic biopsy at a hospital, as biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis.