What is cervical cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Cervical erosion is one of the most common malignant gynecological tumors, belonging to a type of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer itself is a significant branch within this category, and both the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are relatively high in our country. However, recent advances in medical science have led to a noticeable decline. Cervical cancer is associated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection, as well as with early childbirth, multiple pregnancies, and smoking. The definitive diagnosis of cervical cancer relies on the examination of cervical and endocervical canal live tissues, colposcopic biopsy, or cervical scrape cytology. Typically, after CT, MRI, or other imaging studies, a mass may be detected. Possible symptoms of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Causes of Cervical Cancer

The causes of cervical cancer include: The first point is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly persistent infection with high-risk types, which is the basic cause of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The second point is that DNA from HPV is not detected in the tumor tissues of a minority of cases, especially among some older patients. Epidemiology shows that early childbirth and multiparity are closely related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. With an increasing number of childbirths, the risk of cervical cancer also increases. This correlation might be due to the trauma to the cervix during childbirth and changes to the endocrine and nutritional states during pregnancy.

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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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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Cervical polyp and cervical cancer differences

Cervical polyps are generally visible to the naked eye during a gynecological examination, and after the removal of cervical polyps, there should be no bleeding. Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is different. With cervical cancer, abnormalities can be seen on the surface of the cervix or, even if not visible to the naked eye, can generally be detected through cervical cancer screening. There is no issue with patients with cervical polyps undergoing cervical cancer screening. For patients with cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening typically includes TCT and HPV testing. If these tests show abnormalities, indicating cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, a biopsy is generally required for further diagnosis. There is a difference between the two; after a polyp is removed, there should be no further bleeding; whereas with cervical cancer, continuous bleeding, irregular bleeding, and an accompanying odor can occur.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Cervical cancer treatment

For the treatment of cervical cancer, it should be based on the patient's physical condition, nutritional status, pathological staging, and pathological type to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, rather than a general, single approach. The treatment principle for cervical cancer mainly involves surgery and radiotherapy, supported by a comprehensive treatment plan that includes chemotherapy. However, the treatment plan should be based on clinical staging, age, overall health, and consider the level of technology and equipment available to formulate a suitable treatment plan. It is important to focus on individualized treatment and the method of initial treatment. Therefore, each person is different, and treatments vary from person to person and disease to disease.

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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.