Cervical cancer is divided into several stages.

Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 01, 2024
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Cervical cancer is categorized into four stages based on the extent of the cancer lesion, with different stages receiving different treatments clinically. Stage I cervical cancer is the earliest stage, while stage IV cervical cancer is the latest stage, often invading organs beyond the reproductive system. Clinically, early-stage cervical cancer is primarily treated with surgical resection, followed by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy to reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence. In contrast, late-stage cervical cancer is treated primarily with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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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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How to prevent cervical cancer

How to prevent cervical cancer: Firstly, it is very important to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). So, how can one prevent HPV infection? First, in choosing sexual partners, one should select a healthy male, generally a steady one, and avoid relationships with men who have penile cancer, prostate cancer, or whose ex-wife had cervical cancer, as these men are considered high-risk, and the women they come into contact with are also at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Secondly, we should pay attention to personal hygiene. Thirdly, one should enhance their physical constitution to prevent viral infections and to maintain cleanliness. Fourthly, attention should be given to prevention of other contributing factors, such as early childbirth. Therefore, it is necessary to choose an appropriate age for childbirth. Multiple births are also related to cervical cancer, so if pregnant, one should avoid miscarriage and multiple dilation and curettage procedures. Fifthly, adhere to a healthy and reasonable diet, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

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Cervical cancer leukorrhea characteristics

The characteristics of vaginal discharge in cervical cancer may include the presence of blood in the discharge. This is because cervical cancer often leads to increased vaginal discharge, which may also increase in quantity and might contain streaks of blood or bloody material. The discharge could be thin and watery or resemble rice wash water, and it might have a foul smell. In advanced stages, due to necrosis of the cancer tissue accompanied by infection, there can be a substantial amount of foul-smelling, purulent discharge resembling rice wash water. Therefore, these characteristics of the vaginal discharge are specific symptoms of cervical cancer. If such symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek medical consultation promptly to evaluate for cervical cancer.

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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.

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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.