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Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
About me
Attending physician specialized in obstetrics and gynecology, with a master's degree in gynecological oncology, published 5 articles in core journals.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, with a master's degree in gynecologic oncology. Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic malignancies.
Voices
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.
What causes uterine prolapse?
The most common causes of uterine prolapse can be categorized into three types. The first type is childbirth injury, which is the main cause of uterine prolapse. During childbirth, especially with vaginal surgical assistance or prolonged second stage of labor, uterine prolapse can occur. The second cause is long-term increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as chronic coughing, habitual constipation, prolonged standing, or weightlifting. These factors can contribute to uterine prolapse. The third type involves poor development or degenerative changes in the pelvic tissues. This mainly refers to uterine prolapse due to congenital deficiencies in pelvic floor development. Generally, childbirth injuries are the most common cause.
What are the symptoms of teratoma?
Ovarian teratomas can cause abdominal pain and might even result in sudden abdominal enlargement, often accompanied by symptoms like bloating. Women experiencing these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly. Ovarian teratomas are more commonly found in younger women, particularly during their reproductive years. Thus, female patients experiencing these symptoms should promptly undergo an ultrasound at a hospital to check for the presence of teratomas and also have a blood test for tumor markers. If a teratoma is present, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible due to the risk of malignant transformation.
Can vulvar inflammatory swellings heal by themselves?
If the vulva has only developed an inflammatory lump, it can be cured because as the inflammation subsides, the lump may gradually shrink and fall off. However, it is crucial to determine whether a vulvar lump is inflammatory or malignant. Therefore, patients with vulvar lumps may need to have a biopsy of the vulvar tissue sent to the pathology department to determine its origin. For inflammatory lumps, topical application of erythromycin ointment can be used; it can heal on its own. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Endometrial cancer requires chemotherapy.
If endometrial cancer has high-risk factors, chemotherapy is needed after surgery if these high-risk factors are found in the pathological staging. If it's early-stage endometrial cancer without these high-risk factors, chemotherapy might not be necessary after surgery because chemotherapy also serves to prevent recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, it is advised that patients with high-risk factors in endometrial cancer undergo chemotherapy. Although chemotherapy may have significant side effects, it can improve the survival time and quality of life for cancer patients. The decision to proceed with chemotherapy should be based on the postoperative pathological staging, biopsy results, and the presence or absence of factors like lymph node metastasis.
Does teratoma require blood tests?
If a patient with a teratoma needs to undergo a blood test, the blood test may include routine blood work and blood biochemistry, as well as tumor marker tests such as CA125 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to check for any abnormal increases. If surgery is required for the patient, there might be additional blood tests conducted, including lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and infection and immunity tests. All these require blood draws for the examination.
What tests are done for endometriosis?
For patients with endometriosis, it is recommended that you undergo a gynecological ultrasound examination to observe the condition of the ectopic endometrial tissue in the pelvic cavity, whether it is present on the uterus or ovaries, and whether it has grown on the abdominal wall. Therefore, it is advised to have a gynecological ultrasound examination and a gynecological exam. Patients with endometriosis can also have a blood test for tumor markers. If you wish to undergo additional tests, you can also have a cervical cancer screening, which is also possible. The main recommendations are the first three: the gynecological exam, gynecological ultrasound, and tumor marker tests. These examinations are advisable. If the endometriosis is very severe and the pain is quite intense, treatment may be necessary.
malignant symptoms of ovarian cysts
Malignant ovarian cysts, commonly known as ovarian cancer, often present with no symptoms in most people. Patients generally do not exhibit any specific symptoms. In advanced stages, however, symptoms such as ascites and abdominal swelling or pain may occur due to the cyst pressing on other organs in the abdomen. Initially, these symptoms might be mistaken for gastrointestinal issues, hence the importance of undergoing a gynecological ultrasound examination. In early stages, ovarian tumors may not show any symptoms, so it is recommended that women undergo tumor marker tests, such as CA125 and HE4, as well as routine ultrasound examinations.
Symptoms of postmenopausal bacterial vaginitis
If a patient in menopause has bacterial vaginosis, the typical symptoms are itching in the vagina, local discomfort, and there may be a foul odor and increased discharge, with the secretions becoming more abundant. It is recommended that patients with these symptoms promptly visit a hospital to check their vaginal discharge to determine if they have bacterial vaginosis and identify the pathogen causing it. This way, targeted treatment measures can be adopted, and appropriate medication can be administered. Therefore, it is advised that such patients should seek medical consultation and examination at a hospital. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
How is endometrial cancer diagnosed?
If it concerns endometrial cancer, postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and menstrual disorders during the menopausal transition should prompt an exclusion of endometrial cancer. The most common and valuable method for diagnosing endometrial cancer is through pathological examination results, especially via fractional curettage. The advantage of fractional curettage is that it can differentiate between endometrial cancer and cervical adenocarcinoma, and it can clarify whether the cervical canal is involved, providing a basis for formulating treatment plans. In addition, endometrial cancer can also be assessed using a B-mode ultrasound, but this is only used to provide reference values for clinical diagnosis and management. Another method is hysteroscopy, which allows direct observation of the uterine cavity and cervical canal for any lesions, and tissue can also be collected for biopsy, which is also a very good method.