How is cervical cancer treated?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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The principle of treating cervical cancer is mainly through surgery and radiotherapy, supplemented by chemotherapy in a comprehensive treatment plan. Treatment should be based on clinical staging, age, overall condition, and a combination of technical level and equipment conditions to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. It emphasizes the individualization of treatment and the importance of initial treatment. Not everyone will have the same treatment plan; it should vary from person to person, with specific issues analyzed individually. Surgical options include extensive hysterectomy and extensive cervical resection. If cervical cancer is staged late, it should also be treated with radiotherapy, supplemented by chemotherapy. Nowadays, there are also targeted medications and immunotherapies to consider as part of the treatment options.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How to prevent cervical cancer

How to prevent cervical cancer: Firstly, it is very important to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). So, how can one prevent HPV infection? First, in choosing sexual partners, one should select a healthy male, generally a steady one, and avoid relationships with men who have penile cancer, prostate cancer, or whose ex-wife had cervical cancer, as these men are considered high-risk, and the women they come into contact with are also at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Secondly, we should pay attention to personal hygiene. Thirdly, one should enhance their physical constitution to prevent viral infections and to maintain cleanliness. Fourthly, attention should be given to prevention of other contributing factors, such as early childbirth. Therefore, it is necessary to choose an appropriate age for childbirth. Multiple births are also related to cervical cancer, so if pregnant, one should avoid miscarriage and multiple dilation and curettage procedures. Fifthly, adhere to a healthy and reasonable diet, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Self-exam method for cervical cancer

There aren't many methods for self-examination of cervical cancer. If symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or discharge occur, it is crucial to visit a hospital for a gynecological examination promptly. Of course, the diagnosis of cervical cancer should still rely on the examination by specialist doctors at hospitals. There are cytological examinations of cervical scrapings available, as well as examinations of cervical and endocervical tissue to confirm whether it is cervical cancer or not. Particularly, the examination of cervical and endocervical tissue is the main basis for confirming cervical cancer. Therefore, we should still undertake pathological examinations to confirm whether it is cervical cancer or not, rather than relying solely on self-examination to diagnose cervical cancer.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Causes of cervical cancer

The causes of cervical cancer are closely related to several factors. Firstly, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is highly related and is the fundamental cause of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Secondly, although HPV DNA is not detected in the tumor tissues of a minority of cases, particularly among older patients, epidemiological surveys indicate that early childbirth and multiple childbearing are closely related to the incidence of cervical cancer. Thirdly, it has been found that the incidence of cervical cancer in women is related to contact with high-risk men, such as those with penile cancer, prostate cancer, or those whose ex-wives had cervical cancer. Fourthly, smoking has a certain relationship with the incidence of cervical cancer as it can inhibit the body's immune function. Alcohol consumption, irregular diet, and lifestyle also have certain relationships with the incidence of cervical cancer.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Symptoms of cervical cancer

The most typical early symptom of cervical cancer is usually contact bleeding during intercourse. Clinically, once contact bleeding occurs, it is essential to go to the hospital for cervical cancer screening as soon as possible, generally involving a cervical TCT and HPV test. These two tests can initially screen for the presence of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. If it has progressed to the stage of cervical cancer, there may be a large amount of vaginal discharge with a foul smell, and severe cases can have symptoms like bleeding and abdominal pain. Therefore, patients with cervical cancer must undergo relevant cervical examinations at the hospital. If it is indeed cervical cancer, treatment options should be selected based on the stage of the disease to treat the symptoms accordingly. Hence, if there is any irregular vaginal bleeding, it is critical to go to the hospital for the relevant cancer screening.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Characteristics of Bleeding in Cervical Cancer

The bleeding characteristics of cervical cancer should be considered based on the pathological type and stage of the disease. In the early stages, the bleeding may be contact-related, occurring after sexual intercourse or a gynecological examination, and may involve a small amount of fresh, light bleeding. As the disease progresses into the later stages, the tumor may cause irregular vaginal bleeding. The amount of this irregular bleeding varies, depending on the size of the lesion and the involvement of the blood vessels in the interstitial tissues. A larger lesion may naturally result in more bleeding. In advanced stages, major blood vessels may be affected, potentially leading to severe bleeding. Therefore, the characteristics of vaginal bleeding should be analyzed based on the specific circumstances. If the cancer is exophytic, bleeding tends to occur earlier and is usually more copious, whereas if it is endophytic, bleeding tends to occur later.