Can cervical cancer be cured?

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on April 14, 2025
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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 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.

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How to get the cervical cancer vaccine?

The cervical cancer vaccine is administered in the same way as regular vaccines, which is an injection in the deltoid muscle. However, the scheduling of the subsequent doses of the cervical cancer vaccine differs. For the bivalent cervical cancer vaccine, the second dose is administered one month after the first dose, and the third dose at six months. For the quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines, the second dose is administered two months after the first, with the third dose given at six months.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long does it take for cervical cancer to develop?

The causes of cervical cancer are now clear; it is caused by an infection with the HPV virus. Generally, this virus needs to be carried for more than two to three years before it can infect and develop into cervical cancer. There is a process of carcinogenesis where normal epithelial tissue transforms into cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. If the HPV infection is not treated and continues, it could lead to cervical cancer. Thus, the development process is relatively long, typically requiring two to three years. It is recommended that sexually active women undergo cervical cancer screening to check for any pathological changes in the cervix, including HPV, TCT, and colposcopy examinations.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How is cervical cancer treated?

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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Cervical cancer screening

For the examination of cervical cancer, it should be based on medical history and clinical manifestations, especially for people with contact vaginal bleeding, a detailed general examination and gynecological examination should be conducted, and an examination of cervical biopsy tissue is needed for diagnosis. What specific examinations are there? There are cervical scrape cytology tests, iodine tests, colposcopy, examination of cervical and cervical canal tissue, as well as post-surgical cervical conization, and examination of postoperative specimens. Therefore, there are indeed many examinations, including some radiological assessments such as enhanced CT, PADCT, MRI, and other such tests.