How is invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated?

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is ​​the first malignant tumor occurring on the cervix, and its mortality rate is very high. Patients with this disease need timely treatment. In recent years, the incidence of this disease has been increasing. However, the cause of the disease needs to be diagnosed before treatment, and symptomatic treatment can control the disease in time, prevent it from getting worse, and increase the difficulty of treatment.

How is invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated?

Once invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is ​​diagnosed, an appropriate individualized treatment plan should be developed based on the clinical stage, patient age, fertility requirements, and general condition. A comprehensive treatment plan based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is adopted.

Surgery is only used for patients with early cervical cancer. Commonly used procedures include total hysterectomy, subradical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Radiotherapy is suitable for patients in the middle and late stages of the disease or early-stage patients whose general condition is not suitable for surgery.

Chemotherapy is mainly used for patients with advanced disease and recurrent metastasis. In recent years, surgery combined with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy has also been used to shrink tumor lesions and control subclinical metastasis. It can also be used to enhance radiotherapy sensitivity. Currently, commonly used chemotherapy drugs include paclitaxel, carboplatin, cisplatin, etc.

Clinical symptoms of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

1. Increased leucorrhea

80% to 90% of patients with invasive cervical cancer have varying degrees of increased vaginal discharge. The characteristics of leucorrhea are similar to those of general inflammation. As the tumor progresses, necrosis and shedding occur, and secondary infection occurs, foul-smelling, bloody and purulent leucorrhea may appear.

2. Vaginal bleeding

80% to 85% of patients experience vaginal bleeding symptoms. It may manifest as contact, menstrual, postmenopausal or irregular vaginal bleeding. Contact vaginal bleeding in young women or vaginal bleeding after menopause are clinical symptoms that deserve special attention. Giant cauliflower-shaped exophytic tumors and ulcerous cavitary tumors are prone to heavy vaginal bleeding.

3. Other symptoms

As tumor infiltration progresses, symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and during defecation, blood in the stool, difficulty in defecation, frequent urination, hematuria, and lower limb edema may occur. Patients in the late stage may also experience cachexia symptoms such as anemia and weight loss.