In the late stages of cervical cancer, the patient eats less and less.

In general, a decreasing appetite in late-stage cervical cancer may be caused by side effects of chemotherapy drugs, pain at the affected site, esophageal stricture, gastrointestinal side effects, or cancer metastasis. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions for symptomatic treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs

Cervical cancer may develop due to factors such as family heredity, genetic mutations, or advanced age, leading to damage of tissue cells in the cervix and resulting in malignant tumors. Chemotherapy drugs may irritate gastrointestinal tissues, causing damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa and resulting in difficulty eating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If symptoms are mild, medications such as Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets or Lactase tablets may be used under medical guidance to improve the condition.

2. Pain at the affected site

If cervical cancer causes pain at the lesion site, stimulating surrounding tissues and organs, it may lead to decreased appetite. It is recommended that patients use medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or indomethacin sustained-release tablets under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

3. Esophageal stricture

Esophageal stricture can cause difficulty swallowing, pain during eating, weight loss, and food regurgitation after meals, leading to eating difficulties. Treatment may include medications such as prednisolone acetate tablets or amoxicillin capsules as directed by a physician.

4. Gastrointestinal side effects

If the gastrointestinal tract is damaged after developing cancer, complications such as anemia or bleeding may occur, which can impair gastrointestinal function, leading to loss of appetite and reduced food intake. Medications such as domperidone tablets or mosapride citrate tablets may be used under medical guidance for treatment.

5. Cancer metastasis

In advanced stages of cancer, if cancer cells have metastasized, they may directly impair digestive function, causing the patient to refuse food and fluids. In such cases, it is recommended to drink more water and consume fresh vegetables and fruits. Additionally, medications such as paclitaxel injection or docetaxel may be used under medical guidance.

Besides the above, a progressively decreasing appetite in late-stage cervical cancer may also result from cachexia associated with advanced cancer. If patients experience discomfort, they should seek timely medical attention for targeted treatment to avoid delaying disease management.