Cervical Cancer Staging Criteria

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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For the staging of cervical cancer, the staging criteria of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) are now adopted. Staging should be done before treatment, and since the FIGO staging of the cervix mainly relies on the examination of the pelvis, it is emphasized that the pelvic examination must be performed by two senior gynecologic oncologists. The staging primarily involves assessing the size of the cervical lesion, particularly the measurement of endophytic tumors, parametrial tissue infiltration, and the status of pelvic lymph nodes. However, these stages mainly rely on radiological examinations, primarily magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to provide objective data for staging.

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Precursors of cervical cancer

The occurrence and development of the cervix is a process from quantitative to qualitative change, evolving gradually to a sudden shift over a long period. The precursor might be the heterotypic zone of the cervix, which is a common site for abnormalities. During the formation of this heterotypic zone, cervical epithelial metaplasia is relatively active, and, compounded by infection with the human papillomavirus and further stimulated by external carcinogens, immature or proliferative squamous epithelial cells may exhibit gradual changes or atypical hyperplasia, potentially leading to sarcomatoid changes in the cervical epithelium. This might be a precursor sign.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of cervical cancer

There are several causes of cervical cancer, such as having multiple sexual partners, premature birth, smoking, and early sexual activity, all of which could lead to cervical cancer. However, the main cause of cervical cancer is infection with HPV, the human papillomavirus. It has been scientifically proven that cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection. Therefore, this viral infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. It is recommended that women of childbearing age undergo cervical cancer screening to check for any abnormalities in the cervix.

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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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.