What are the review items after cervical cancer surgery?

The review items after cervical cancer surgery mainly include gynecological examination, human papilloma virus detection, imaging examination, tumor marker detection, colposcopy, etc. Regular postoperative review can help monitor disease recurrence or metastasis and facilitate timely intervention.

1. Gynecological examination

Regular gynecological bimanual or trimanual examinations are required after surgery to evaluate the healing of the vaginal stump and observe whether there are any abnormal masses or tenderness in the pelvic cavity. During the examination, you need to cooperate with the doctor to expose the surgical area, which may cause slight discomfort but is usually tolerated. Patients after cervical cancer surgery should undergo gynecological examinations at least 1-2 times a year. If abnormal bleeding or discharge is found, they should be followed up in time.

2. Human papillomavirus detection

Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. It is recommended to detect HPV typing every 6-12 months after surgery. Cervical exfoliated cell sampling is used to detect viral load through nucleic acid hybridization or PCR technology. If the test result continues to be positive, it needs to be combined with other examinations to rule out the possibility of recurrence, and antiviral treatment should be carried out if necessary.

3. Imaging examination

Pelvic MRI or CT can clearly show postoperative anatomical structural changes and detect local recurrence or lymph node metastasis. Early re-examination is recommended every 3-6 months, and can be extended to once a year after 2 years. PET-CT has higher sensitivity for distant metastases, but is more expensive and is usually used as a supplementary examination.

4. Tumor marker detection

Monitoring serum SCC antigen and CA125 levels can help determine the effectiveness of treatment. In the early days after surgery, the test was performed once a month, and after the values ​​stabilized, the test was changed to every 3 months. If the markers increase progressively, the risk of tumor recurrence needs to be alerted, and imaging examinations should be completed in a timely manner to confirm the location of the lesions.

5. Colposcopy

For patients undergoing cervix-sparing radical trachelectomy, colposcopy evaluation is required every 3 to 6 months. Acetic acid staining and iodine test were used to observe the cervical transformation zone, and biopsies were taken when suspicious lesions were found. If patients experience abnormal proliferation in the vaginal stump after total hysterectomy, colposcopy sampling is also required to confirm the pathological nature.

Patients after cervical cancer surgery should establish a standardized follow-up plan, with review every 3 months within 2 years after surgery, every 6 months from 2 to 5 years, and annually after 5 years. It is necessary to keep the perineum clean every day, avoid heavy physical labor and bathing, and perform moderate Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Pay attention to supplementing the diet with high-quality protein and iron-containing foods, and avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods. You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower limb edema, or persistent pain. At the same time, it is recommended that family members help record changes in symptoms and accompany the patient for regular review.