Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms may not appear until the cancer is advanced.
Common Symptoms
The most common symptom is bleeding from the vagina:
- Between periods
- After sex, douching, or a pelvic exam
- After menopause
Menstrual periods may be heavy or last a long time. There may be an unusual discharge from the vagina.
Cervical Cancer |
Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Advanced Symptoms
Later stages of cancer may cause:
- Pain in the pelvis, belly or back
- Problems passing urine or stool
- Loss of hunger and weight
- Being very tired
- Swelling in the legs
References
Cervical cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cervical-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2021.
Cervical cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/gynecologic-tumors/cervical-cancer. Accessed April 21, 2021.
General information about cervical cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/patient/cervical-treatment-pdq. Accessed April 21, 2021.
Hu Z, Ma D. The precision prevention and therapy of HPV-related cervical cancer: new concepts and clinical implications. Cancer Med. 2018 Oct;7(10):5217-5236.
Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Accessed April 21, 2021.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
- Review Date: 03/2021
- Update Date: 10/06/2021