How to know if cervical cancer has metastasized

Generally, cervical cancer metastasis may be identified through symptoms such as fatigue, limb weakness, high fever, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and unusual discharge, along with related examinations including pelvic ultrasound, CT scan, colposcopy, tissue biopsy, and blood tests. The details are as follows:

1. Symptoms

1. Fatigue: After cervical cancer has metastasized, patients may experience fatigue,表现为 low mood, lack of energy, and loss of interest. This may result from increased physical burden caused by the tumor or psychological and physical stress during treatment.

2. Limb Weakness: Metastatic tumors can consume significant amounts of the body’s energy or compress nerves and blood vessels, impairing limb function. This may lead to limb weakness in patients, manifesting as difficulty walking or muscle weakness.

3. High Fever: Following metastasis of cervical cancer, if the tumor compresses or invades surrounding organs, it may cause infection or inflammatory reactions, leading to high fever.

4. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding: Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a symptom of both cervical cancer and its metastasis. If a patient experiences sudden abnormal vaginal bleeding after treatment, it may indicate tumor recurrence or metastasis.

5. Abnormal Discharge: After cervical cancer metastasis, patients may develop abnormal vaginal discharge, such as purulent or bloody discharge. This may suggest that the tumor has invaded the vaginal wall or cervical canal, resulting in increased volume or changes in the nature of the discharge.

2. Examinations

1. Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasound: This examination allows visualization of the shape and structure of pelvic organs, helping detect the size, location of the tumor, and its relationship with surrounding organs.

2. CT Scan: A CT scan can clearly display the morphology and structure of pelvic organs, as well as the size, location of the tumor, and its relationship with surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and other structures. It plays an important role in assessing the extent of cervical cancer metastasis.

3. Colposcopy: Colposcopy is a method that directly visualizes the interior of the vagina and cervix. It enables direct observation of the tumor's size, shape, and location, and whether it has invaded the vaginal wall or cervical canal.

4. Tissue Biopsy: Tissue biopsy involves taking a sample from a suspected metastatic site for pathological examination, which can confirm the presence of cancer cells and determine their type and degree of differentiation.

5. Blood Tests: Blood tests measure levels of tumor markers in the body. Monitoring these markers helps assess disease progression and treatment response.

In daily life, cervical cancer patients are advised to seek timely medical attention when experiencing discomfort, undergoing appropriate examinations to determine possible metastasis. Additionally, patients should maintain a positive mindset and optimistic attitude, actively cooperating with doctors’ treatments and recommendations to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.