Does cervical cancer hurt?

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 01, 2024
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For patients with cervical cancer, the most common clinical manifestations are bleeding during sexual intercourse and irregular vaginal bleeding. Patients who have undergone menopause may also experience irregular vaginal bleeding post-menopause, and some patients may not show any clinical signs at a very early stage. As the cancer progresses, and when it invades nearby organs and metastasizes, it may cause lower abdominal distension and pain, and even more severe pain if the metastatic organs compress nerves or directly invade areas containing nerves.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervical hypertrophy cervical cancer?

In clinical practice, most cases of cervical hypertrophy are not cervical cancer, but normal women do not have cervical hypertrophy. It is recommended that patients who suspect cervical hypertrophy should immediately visit the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of their local hospital, undergo a gynecological color ultrasound, and a gynecological examination to determine the cause of the cervical hypertrophy. The gynecological examination mainly relies on the doctor's visual assessment of the size of the cervix, and observation of any obvious lesions on the surface of the cervix. Additionally, gynecological ultrasound can be used to identify potential lesions in parts of the cervix that are not visible to the naked eye.

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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 Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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There are several types of cervical cancer vaccines.

There are three types of cervical cancer vaccines: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent, and the recommended vaccination ages vary for each. The bivalent cervical cancer vaccine is suitable for females aged 9 to 45; the quadrivalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 20 to 45; the nonavalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 16 to 26. Vaccinations can be scheduled at hospitals within these age ranges. The younger the age at vaccination, the higher the antibody production after receiving the cervical cancer vaccine, meaning the effectiveness is better.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Late-stage symptoms of cervical cancer

What are some symptoms of late-stage cervical cancer? First, there may be vaginal bleeding, characterized by irregular vaginal bleeding. The amount of bleeding varies depending on the size of the lesion and the invasion of interstitial blood vessels. In the late stages, as major blood vessels may be eroded, significant bleeding can occur. The second symptom is vaginal discharge, which is often increased and may be white or blood-stained. Third, late-stage symptoms may include secondary symptoms such as involvement of adjacent tissues and organs and affected nerves, leading to frequent urination, urgency, constipation, swelling and pain in the lower limbs. Cancer pressing on the ureters can cause obstruction of the ureters, hydronephrosis, and uremia. Late stages may also present with symptoms of systemic failure such as anemia and cachexia.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Cervical Cancer Staging Criteria

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.