Symptoms By Stage Of Cervical Cancer

Symptoms by stage of cervical cancer

by Men's Reporter Team

Symptoms of cervical cancer often do not appear in the early stages and may become apparent only when the disease is more advanced. Unusual vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom overall and is often accompanied by vaginal pain and abnormal discharge.

Symptoms of cervical cancer vary depending on the stage of the cancer, from stage 1, when the tumor is localized, to stage 4, when the tumor has spread to distant organs.metastasized). Many of these symptoms are nonspecific and easily overlooked, so early detection with a Pap smear is essential to detect cancer when it is most treatable.

Illustration by Theresa Chiechi from Verywell Health


Stage 1 symptoms

Stage 1 cervical cancer is the earliest stage in which cancer cells grow from the surface of the uterus. neck It reaches the deeper tissues of the cervix but does not spread to nearby lymph nodes or areas outside the cervix.

At this stage, cervical cancer is most often asymptomatic (no symptoms) or subacute (noticeable symptoms).

When symptoms develop, they may include the following:

Stage 2 symptoms

Stage 2 cervical cancer occurs when cancer has grown beyond the cervix and uterus but has not spread to the pelvis, vaginal wall, nearby lymph nodes, or distant sites .

At this stage, the cancer has spread to the uterus and the tissue around the uterus (called the endometrium). parametrium) can cause notable symptoms such as:

Even at this stage, symptoms are often subacute and easily ignored.

Stage 3 symptoms

Stage 3 cervical cancer occurs when cancer spreads to the lower vagina or pelvic wall. The cancer has not yet spread to distant parts of the body, but there may be cancer cells in nearby lymph nodes.

Symptoms of stage 3 cervical cancer often occur when the tumor is large enough to put pressure on nearby areas. ureter (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), obstructing the flow of urine. It can also put pressure on lymph vessels and parts of the intestines, causing blockages.

Symptoms of stage 3 cervical cancer include:

Approximately 1 in 3 cases of cervical cancer is diagnosed when it has progressed to stage 3. This is the most common stage at which cervical cancer is diagnosed.

Stage 4 symptoms

Stage 4 cervical cancer occurs when cancer grows or spreads to nearby organs. The most common sites of metastasis are the lungs, bones, liver, and brain. In up to 1 in 10 cases, metastases affect multiple organs.

Involvement of other organs explains many of the possible symptoms of stage 4 cervical cancer, including:

Approximately 1 in 7 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed at stage 4. Although cancer is currently incurable, there are treatments that can prevent disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and prolong survival.

Life expectancy for cervical cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, the relative five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 67%. This means that almost 7 out of 10 people diagnosed with cervical cancer will live at least five years. Some people live even longer. This is especially true for patients with stage 1 cervical cancer, where the five-year survival rate is 91%.

what you can do

Cervical cancer cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms, but just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have cervical cancer. Approximately 13,000 new infections are diagnosed each year, mostly in people who seek treatment only when symptoms are obvious. Many of these people may not have adhered to cancer screening recommendations such as regular pap smears and HPV testing.

Because early diagnosis of cervical cancer almost always yields better outcomes, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend Pap testing starting at age 21 and then 3 years up to age 65. We recommend a Pap test every time.

In addition to Pap screening, the ACS also recommends HPV testing starting at age 25 and then every 5 years until age 65. You can have a simultaneous HPV/Pap smear test every 5 years or continue with regular Pap smears every 3 years. As usual for many years.

Additional precautions include:

HPV Vaccination: HPV vaccines are available that can reduce the risk of the most common high-risk HPV types. If you were not vaccinated at age 11 or 12, you can receive the vaccine until age 26. People between the ages of 26 and 45 may also benefit. Please consult your provider.
Practice safe sex: Although condoms and dental dams provide only partial protection against HPV, they are still an important part of your overall STD prevention strategy. This includes limiting the number of sexual partners.
Quit smoking: Studies have shown that nicotine may increase the risk of cervical cancer compared to quitting smoking because it promotes the spread of abnormal dysplastic cells. If you can’t quit on your own, ask your doctor about smoking cessation aids.

Finally, it’s important to realize that irregular vaginal bleeding or pain is never “normal.” Experts advise that you should not hesitate to see your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. This includes increased or prolonged periods, bleeding after intercourse, and vaginal bleeding after menopause.

summary

Cervical cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages, but as the disease progresses, it can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, irregular menstruation, vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain.

If the tumor grows and begins to affect other organs, you may experience difficulty urinating, swelling of the legs, and back pain. In the most advanced stages, bone pain, breathing problems, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss are common.

Discussion guide for cervical cancer doctors

Get our printable guide to ask the right questions at your next appointment.

At Verywell Health, we use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed research, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and maintain the accuracy, reliability, and authenticity of our content.

Written by Lisa Fayed

Lisa Fayed is a medical writer, cancer educator, and patient advocate.

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