Cervical Cancer

1. Basic Overview

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor in women worldwide, and the most common gynecological malignant tumor in developing countries. The global annual new incidence is about 604,000 cases, with 342,000 deaths.

Over 99% of cervical cancer cases are associated with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with HPV16 and HPV18 accounting for 70% of cases. It is divided into squamous cell carcinoma (80%–85%), adenocarcinoma (10%–15%), and other rare types. According to FIGO staging, it is divided into stage I (early) to stage IV (advanced). Early cervical cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 90%, while advanced or recurrent cases have a poor prognosis. The high-risk population includes women with persistent HPV infection, multiple sexual partners, smoking, and low immunity.

2. Standard Treatment Modalities

Surgical Treatment: The first-line treatment for early cervical cancer, including radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for non-fertility-sparing patients; fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy for young patients with early-stage disease who wish to preserve fertility. Minimally invasive approaches (laparoscopic, robot-assisted) are the mainstream, with less trauma and faster recovery.
Radiotherapy: Including external beam radiotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy (afterloading therapy), suitable for locally advanced cervical cancer, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and recurrent/metastatic cases. Proton and heavy ion radiotherapy is available for recurrent cases to reduce damage to surrounding organs.
Chemotherapy: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer; palliative chemotherapy is used for recurrent/metastatic cases.
Targeted & Immunotherapy: Anti-angiogenic targeted drugs (bevacizumab) and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have achieved significant efficacy in recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer, especially for PD-L1 positive or MSI-H cases.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Comprehensive Treatment: The core mode for advanced/recurrent cervical cancer, integrating gynecologic oncology, radiotherapy, medical oncology, imaging, and pathology to formulate personalized treatment plans.

3. Core Advantages of Treatment in China

World-leading fertility-sparing treatment technology

China has the largest number of fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy cases in the world, with a 5-year disease-free survival rate of over 95% for early-stage patients, on par with top European and American centers, and a postoperative pregnancy rate of over 60%, leading the global average.

High survival rate with standardized treatment

The 5-year overall survival rate of early cervical cancer in top Chinese centers exceeds 93%, and the 5-year survival rate of locally advanced cervical cancer with concurrent chemoradiotherapy exceeds 75%, equal to the level of MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US.

High accessibility of advanced radiotherapy and innovative drugs

Proton and heavy ion radiotherapy for cervical cancer has mature technology in China, with a waiting time of only 1–2 weeks (2–3 months in Europe and America), and the cost is only 1/2–2/3 of that in the US. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and targeted drugs for cervical cancer have been approved and covered by medical insurance in China, with an annual treatment cost of only 1/10–1/5 of that in the US.

Ultra-high cost performance and short waiting time

The cost of radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer in top Chinese centers is only 8,000–12,000 USD, compared with 50,000–80,000 USD in the US. Surgery can be arranged within 1–2 weeks, while the waiting period in Europe and America is often 3–6 months.

Complete screening and prevention system

China has a nationwide HPV screening and cervical cancer prevention system, with a high accuracy of HPV and TCT combined screening, and mature experience in the diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions, which can effectively block the progression of precancerous lesions to invasive cancer.