Late-stage symptoms of cervical cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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The symptoms of advanced cervical cancer start with vaginal bleeding. In the later stages, the bleeding becomes irregular and possibly heavy. The second symptom is vaginal discharge. In advanced stages, due to cancerous tissue necrosis accompanied by infection, there can be a large amount of foul-smelling, watery, or purulent discharge. The third point about advanced symptoms depends on the extent of the cancerous area involved. Secondary symptoms may appear depending on the adjacent tissues, organs, and nerves affected, including frequent urination, urgency, constipation, swelling and pain in the lower limbs. When the tumor compresses or involves the ureter, it can cause ureteral obstruction, hydronephrosis, and uremia. In the advanced stages, patients may experience symptoms of systemic failure like anemia and cachexia.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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latent period of cervical cancer

The latency period for cervical cancer is generally five to ten years. The occurrence of cervical cancer is mainly due to exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the body. Typically, this virus persists and replicates within the body, leading to cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. From the initial virus infection to the development of cervical cancer, it usually takes a vast majority about five to ten years. Furthermore, different types of virus infections lead to varying probabilities of cervical cancer. In general, if the infection involves types 16 and 18 of the virus, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer is particularly high. Therefore, if one is infected with HPV types 16 and 18, it is crucial to undergo a cervical TCT test. If necessary, a cervical biopsy is generally performed under colposcopy, followed by treatment based on the examination results. Thus, to prevent cervical cancer, it is essential for women to undergo regular annual cervical cancer screening.

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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 Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Cervical cancer indicators

The main indicators of cervical cancer are still the examination of the cervix and cervical canal tissues. There are obvious cancerous changes, and under the microscope pathological sections can show tendencies of cell carcinogenesis, or already developed cancer. The second is the cytological examination of cervical scrapings, which detects the presence of cancer cells. The third is the iodine test, where areas that do not stain after iodine staining indicate a lack of glycogen in the epithelium, suggesting possible lesions. The fourth is colposcopy, which may reveal suspicious cancerous areas, allowing for biopsy to confirm cancer cells. The fifth includes ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc., which can detect mass occupying lesions, all of which are indicators of cervical cancer. Of course, abnormalities in tumor markers are also considered, but the main reliance is still on the indicators from pathological examinations to determine if it's cervical cancer.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Causes of Cervical Cancer

The causes of cervical cancer include: The first point is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly persistent infection with high-risk types, which is the basic cause of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The second point is that DNA from HPV is not detected in the tumor tissues of a minority of cases, especially among some older patients. Epidemiology shows that early childbirth and multiparity are closely related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. With an increasing number of childbirths, the risk of cervical cancer also increases. This correlation might be due to the trauma to the cervix during childbirth and changes to the endocrine and nutritional states during pregnancy.