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July 7, 2016

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Woman successfully treated for rare cancer

A local maternity hospital has successfully treated a woman with a very rare type of cervical cancer that was not identified by the World Health Organization until 2014.

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma is extremely difficult for gynecologists and pathologists to diagnose, which means it is generally not treated effectively.

Chen Lili, 37, was fortunately diagnosed with the disease when it was still at a precancerous change, but had to have her entire reproductive system removed to save her life, said doctors at Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Fudan University.

A documentary about the case will be aired on local television on Saturday.

Doctors said most patients diagnosed with MDA since the 1950s have died because of the failure to diagnose it at an early stage when it can be successfully treated.

“This patient visited many hospitals, but they weren’t able to determine the exact cause of her symptoms,” said Dr Zhou Xianrong, director of the hospital’s pathology department.

“Since we have had some experience with such cases, we identified it as MDA. Fortunately, her condition was at a very early stage. Removal of the entire reproductive system can prevent the spread of cancer and has saved her life.”

Follow-up checks confirmed that the treatment has been a complete success, doctors said.

“MDA is caused by genetic mutation and there is no way to prevent it and no drugs that can cure it, at least for now,” Zhou said.

“Regular gynecological checkups after age 30 and visiting a doctor if abnormal gynecological symptoms occur are the only effective measures for early detection.

“If the cancer progresses past the early stage, about 60 percent of patients die within three years.”




 

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