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 Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is cervical cancer screened?

Cervical cancer screening is a routine gynecological examination item for married women and women who are sexually active. Cervical cancer screening includes TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) tests. The TCT is a cytological examination of the cervix to determine if there are any cervical lesions based on cell morphology. HPV is the human papillomavirus, and its presence is a high-risk factor for cervical cancer. Therefore, cervical cancer screening consists of both TCT and HPV tests. If abnormalities are found in either test, a cervical biopsy may be necessary to confirm the presence of cervical lesions. It is best to conduct these tests between three to seven days after the end of menstruation.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is cervical cancer checked?

Cervical cancer screening begins with testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and a cervical cytology smear test. If abnormalities are found in these tests, a colposcopy examination is needed. Under colposcopy, suspicious cancerous areas are selected for a cervical biopsy, and the cervical tissue is sent for pathological sections. Based on the results of the pathology sections, it is determined whether the condition is a precancerous lesion of the cervix or cervical cancer. If cervical cancer is present, a clinical doctor must perform a gynecological internal examination to determine the stage of the cervical cancer, and then choose a treatment plan.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervical hypertrophy cervical cancer?

Cervical hypertrophy is not cervical cancer. Cervical hypertrophy is merely a change in the shape and size of the cervix, which becomes larger than normal, and its shape might be somewhat larger than a normal cervix. It is just a morphological change. Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is caused by an HPV virus infection. It is a type of tumor and is different from mere enlargement; one is cancer, and the other is just an increase in size. Therefore, it is recommended that patients who experience irregular vaginal bleeding after intercourse, as well as those who have irregular bleeding normally, should undergo screening for cervical cancer, including tests for HPV and TCT.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Cervical cancer symptoms

Cervical cancer generally has no symptoms in its early stages. In advanced stages, symptoms become more obvious. In the early stages, signs may include increased vaginal discharge, bleeding after sexual intercourse, or discharge containing blood streaks, typically without abdominal pain. In advanced stages, there might be irregular vaginal bleeding or heavy bleeding, and sometimes the secretions may appear like rice-wash water. If an infection occurs, there can be a foul smell, and pain in the lower abdomen may be felt, indicating the cancer has progressed to a late stage. Therefore, if there is an increase in discharge or bleeding after intercourse during the early stages, it is crucial to promptly visit a hospital for examination.