Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Symptoms of cervical cancer can be variable. In fact, in many women with early stages of cancer of the cervix, cervical cancer symptoms may be non-existant. In other words, it can be asymptomatic. If symptoms are present, they may include bleeding from the vagina (between normal menstrual cycles), bleeding after sexual contact, discharge from the vagina or mild to moderate pain during sexual penetration. More rarely, a mass may be felt in the upper part of the vagina.

Because many women with early cervical cancer may be asymptomatic, screening tests like the pap smear may be useful in diagnosing cancer or precancerous lesions in their early stages, before the woman has any signs or symptoms that bring them to medical attention.

As the tumor progresses and becomes larger and more invasive in the more advanced stages of the disease, symptoms of cervical cancer will likely progress. The symptoms mentioned above, such as bleeding from the vagina between periods and feeling a vaginal mass, may become more severe and more frequent. In addition, in these more advanced stages, metastases may occur, which means that the tumor has spread through the blood or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. As the tumor begins to grow in the abdomen, lungs, bones or elsewhere, it can begin to present more systemic symptoms or symptoms related to those other tissues or organs. For example, weight loss and general fatigue, loss of appetite, back pain, bone fractures, pelvic pain, swelling and other symptoms are all possible.