Late-stage cervical cancer , also known as metastatic cervical cancer, is a stage where cancer that started in the cervix has spread to another part of the body, such as the bladder, rectum or out of the pelvis. The tumor may spread to more distant organs, such as the lungs, liver, bones or distant lymph nodes. Signs of late-stage cervical cancer appear depending on the location to which the tumor has metastasized.
Common signs of late-stage cervical cancer
In the early stages , cervical cancer is often not obvious, so it is difficult to detect. Symptoms of the disease can take several years to develop and manifest specifically when it has spread (metastasized).
Common late-stage cervical cancer symptoms may include:
- Vaginal bleeding after sex, after menopause, between periods, after forced defecation, abnormally not menstruating or menstruating longer than usual
- Vaginal discharge, vaginal discharge with strong odor or blood
- Difficult or painful urination, or even blood in the urine
- Constipation, pain or bleeding from the rectum when defecating
- Fatigue, weakness
- Loss of appetite, loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dull back pain
- Pelvic pain or pain during sex
- Cramping pain in the abdomen
- Vomiting frequently
- Leakage of feces and urine through the vagina.
In addition, each patient will have different signs of late-stage cervical cancer, depending on which organs in the body the cancer has spread to. As follows:
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Signs of late-stage cervical cancer that has metastasized to lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are part of a system of tubes and glands in the body that help filter body fluids and fight infection.
Cervical cancer can spread to regional (pelvic) lymph nodes. Signs of late-stage cervical cancer in this case are swollen, hard-to-touch lymph nodes. Additionally, a tumor that prevents lymph fluid from draining will lead to leg swelling due to fluid buildup, also known as lymphedema.
Symptoms of cervical cancer liver metastasis
If cervical cancer has spread to the liver , signs of late-stage cervical cancer may include:
- Abdominal discomfort or pain on the right side of the abdomen (right lower quadrant)
- Abdominal swelling due to fluid retention (called ascites)
- Jaundice
- Yellow eyes
- Itchy skin.
Signs of late-stage cervical cancer metastasizing to the lungs
Patients may have any of the following symptoms if cervical cancer has spread to the lungs :
- Persistent cough (often worse at night)
- Hemoptisi
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Feeling of heaviness in the chest
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Accumulation of fluid between the chest wall and lungs (pleural effusion).
Symptoms of cervical cancer metastasis to bones
Late-stage cervical cancer can metastasize to bones. Symptoms of late-stage cancer if cancer metastasizes to the bones are bone pain. The pain is dull or sharp, lasts most of the day and may wake you up at night. Bones can also become weaker and break more easily. In addition, cancer also causes movement limitations.
Symptoms due to brain metastasis
It is very rare for cervical cancer to metastasize to the brain. If this happens, the patient may experience symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Dizzy
- Nausea, vomiting
- Weak limbs
- Movement disorders
- Sensory disorders
- Urinary and defecation disorders.
The signs of late-stage cervical cancer mentioned above can also be caused by many other common diseases and are not necessarily cancer. If you notice any unusual symptoms that are persistent and severe, see your doctor as soon as possible to be diagnosed and find the exact cause. Ultimately, regular gynecological exams, HPV vaccination , and practicing safe sex are the most important steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer.
