How long does it take for cervical cancer to develop?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on March 27, 2025
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Cervical cancer generally forms beginning with an infection of human papillomavirus (HPV), and it usually takes five to ten years to develop into cervical cancer. The vast majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by contact with HPV. If this virus continues to replicate in the body, it typically progresses to cervical cancer over a period of five to ten years. Therefore, cervical cancer screening is crucial for women. If regular check-ups are performed annually during this period, it is possible to halt the progression to cervical cancer and its precursors. Cervical cancer screening generally includes routine TCT (ThinPrep Cytologic Test) and HPV testing. These two tests can preliminarily screen for cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. If any abnormalities are detected, it is essential to undergo a colposcopic biopsy at a hospital, as biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is cervical hypertrophy cervical cancer?

Cervical hypertrophy is not cervical cancer. Cervical hypertrophy is merely a change in the shape and size of the cervix, which becomes larger than normal, and its shape might be somewhat larger than a normal cervix. It is just a morphological change. Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is caused by an HPV virus infection. It is a type of tumor and is different from mere enlargement; one is cancer, and the other is just an increase in size. Therefore, it is recommended that patients who experience irregular vaginal bleeding after intercourse, as well as those who have irregular bleeding normally, should undergo screening for cervical cancer, including tests for HPV and TCT.

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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 Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 14sec home-news-image

latent period of cervical cancer

The latency period for cervical cancer is generally five to ten years. The occurrence of cervical cancer is mainly due to exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the body. Typically, this virus persists and replicates within the body, leading to cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. From the initial virus infection to the development of cervical cancer, it usually takes a vast majority about five to ten years. Furthermore, different types of virus infections lead to varying probabilities of cervical cancer. In general, if the infection involves types 16 and 18 of the virus, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer is particularly high. Therefore, if one is infected with HPV types 16 and 18, it is crucial to undergo a cervical TCT test. If necessary, a cervical biopsy is generally performed under colposcopy, followed by treatment based on the examination results. Thus, to prevent cervical cancer, it is essential for women to undergo regular annual cervical cancer screening.

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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.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is cervical cancer checked?

Cervical cancer screening begins with testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and a cervical cytology smear test. If abnormalities are found in these tests, a colposcopy examination is needed. Under colposcopy, suspicious cancerous areas are selected for a cervical biopsy, and the cervical tissue is sent for pathological sections. Based on the results of the pathology sections, it is determined whether the condition is a precancerous lesion of the cervix or cervical cancer. If cervical cancer is present, a clinical doctor must perform a gynecological internal examination to determine the stage of the cervical cancer, and then choose a treatment plan.