Thermal Ablation Philippines | Early Cervical Pre-Cancer Treatment | CerviQ
Sometimes, all it takes is less than a minute of treatment to help prevent cervical cancer.
Early treatment of abnormal cervical changes can stop disease progression before cancer develops.
Treat early. Prevent cancer. Save lives.
What Are Cervical Pre-Cancerous Lesions?
Most cervical cancers begin with persistent infection by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Over many years, HPV may slowly cause abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. These are called:
- Cervical dysplasia
- Precancerous lesions
- CIN (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia)
👉 These are NOT YET CANCER!
However, if left untreated, some lesions may gradually progress into invasive cervical cancer.
The Silent Progression: A Critical Window for Treatment
Cervical cancer develops slowly.
From initial HPV infection to invasive cancer, the process may take 10 to 20 years. During this time, most women feel completely healthy—there are usually no noticeable symptoms.
Because nothing is felt, many women delay consultation or screening. As a result, cervical abnormalities are often discovered only at later stages.
Yet this silent phase gives us an important opportunity.
Early detection allows abnormal cervical changes to be treated before cancer develops—when intervention is simpler, safer, and highly effective.
A Simple Treatment for Eligible Pre-Cancerous Cervical Lesions
Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses controlled heat to destroy abnormal cervical cells.
The procedure:
- Does not require major surgery
- Is usually done without local anesthesia
- Administered within a very short treatment cycle (< 2 Minutes)
- Allows patients to go home the same day
👉 It is used for eligible pre-cancerous lesions detected during cervical cancer screening.
WHO guidelines for the use of thermal ablation for cervical pre-cancer lesions
Recommendations
The World Health Organization Guideline Development Group (WHO GDG) suggests:
- either LLETZ, or cryotherapy or THERMAL ABLATION to treat all women who have histologically confirmed CIN2+ disease and who are eligible for thermal ablation or cryotherapy.
- providing either thermal ablation or cryotherapy to women screened positive with hrHPV or VIA, or hrHPV followed by VIA with no histological confirmation who are eligible for ablative treatment, or providing LLETZ when the woman is not eligible for cryotherapy or thermal ablation.
Thermal Ablation cost-effective and safe for the treatment of cervical precancer
Nov 2025 – International Agency For Research On Cancer | World Health Organization
Key Evidence Messages
- Thermal ablation is clinically effective and safe for the treatment of eligible cervical precancer.
- Thermal ablation, in an IARC study, is the most cost-effective treatment option for cervical precancer.
- Use of thermal ablation devices is scalable and is endorsed by WHO.
- Further research is needed into how the microbiome of the cervix and other factors can guide personalized follow-up care.
How CerviQ Performs Thermal Ablation
From a patient’s perspective, undergoing a Thermal Ablation procedure is often described as feeling similar to a routine pelvic exam or a Pap smear, but with some brief, localized sensations of heat.
DURING THE PROCEDURE
1. Getting Settled
The experience starts just like a standard gynecological exam. You will be asked to lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups. The healthcare provider will insert a speculum into the vagina to see the cervix clearly. A standard SPECULOSCOPE-ASSISTED VISUAL INSPECTION WITH ACETIC ACID will be performed.
2. The Sensation
- No General Anesthesia: You are awake and alert throughout. Most patients do not need numbing injections (local anesthesia) because the cervix has very few pain-sensing nerves.
- The Heat: When the device is applied, you won’t feel “burning” in a painful way. Instead, most women describe a deep, dull cramping sensation (similar to period cramps) or a feeling of intense warmth in the pelvic area.
- The Sound: You may hear a few quiet beeps from the machine as it times the treatment.
3. Timing
The “active” part of the procedure is incredibly fast. Each treatment spot takes only about 20 to 40 seconds. If the area being treated is large, the provider may apply the probe 2 or 3 times, but the total “work” time is usually under 2 minutes.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER
The “active” part of the procedure is incredibly fast. Each treatment spot takes only about 20 to 40 seconds. If the area being treated is large, the provider may apply the probe 2 or 3 times, but the total “work” time is usually under 2 minutes.
RECOVERY
Discharge: It is very common to have a watery or yellowish discharge for 2 to 4 weeks. This is simply the treated tissue healing and shedding.
Spotting: You might notice light spotting or “old blood” for a few days.
Pelvic Rest: To prevent infection, providers usually recommend “pelvic rest” (no tampons, no douching, and no sexual intercourse) for about 4 weeks to allow the cervix to heal completely.
Medication: Depending on the doctor’s assessment and clinical judgment, pain medications may be prescribed to help manage discomfort. In selected cases, prophylactic antibiotics may also be given to reduce the risk of infection.
WARNING SIGNS
You should contact your doctor or visit a clinic immediately if you experience any of the following “red flag” warning signs:
1. Heavy Bleeding
-
- Bleeding that is significantly heavier than your usual menstrual period.
- Soaking through more than one large sanitary pad in an hour.
- Passing large blood clots.
2. Signs of Infection
-
- Fever or Chills: A temperature over 38°C (100.4°F).
- Foul-Smelling Discharge: While watery discharge is normal, a strong, unpleasant, or “fishy” odor can indicate an infection.
- Severe Pain: Intense abdominal or pelvic pain that does not get better with over-the-counter pain relief (like ibuprofen or paracetamol).
3. General Concerns
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- Severe dizziness or fainting.
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
*Quick Recovery Tips
-
- Use Pads, Not Tampons: For the first 4 weeks, use sanitary pads for any discharge to avoid introducing bacteria into the healing cervix.
- Rest: Take it easy for the remainder of the day after your procedure.
Why Early Treatment Matters
In “screen-and-treat” settings, thermal ablation plays an important role in preventing cervical cancer before it develops.
Studies show high success rates in clearing eligible pre-cancerous cervical lesions, while allowing women to receive treatment early—sometimes within the same visit after screening. This helps reduce loss to follow-up, a major challenge in cervical cancer prevention programs (ResearchGate).
Thermal ablation is generally well tolerated, minimally invasive, and associated with very low rates of serious complications. Unlike more invasive procedures, it is non-scarring and has minimal impact on future pregnancy outcomes (ImpactFactor.org).
While some low-grade lesions may naturally regress over time, the benefits of early treatment and prevention of progression to invasive cancer are often considered to outweigh the risks of delayed care—particularly in settings where access to repeat screening and follow-up may be limited (BMC Women’s Health).
Early treatment can:
-
- Prevent progression to cervical cancer
- Reduce treatment cost and complexity
- Avoid advanced disease
- Improve long-term outcomes
- Save lives through early intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will thermal ablation hurt?
Most women report only mild discomfort or cramping during the procedure, with generally low pain levels. The treatment itself is short, often lasting less than a minute. In many cases, anesthesia is not required, although local numbing medication may sometimes be used depending on the patient and the doctor’s assessment.
What are the possible side effects after the procedure?
Common temporary symptoms may include:
- Mild cramping
- Light spotting
- Watery vaginal discharge
- Mild soreness or low-grade fever for a few days
These symptoms are usually temporary and improve as the cervix heals.
How long is the recovery period?
Recovery is generally fast. Most patients go home the same day and can resume light daily activities shortly after the procedure.
However, patients are usually advised to avoid:
- Sexual intercourse
- Heavy exercise or strenuous activity
- Vaginal insertion (such as tampons)
for several weeks or as advised by their doctor while the cervix heals.
Does thermal ablation affect fertility?
Current studies suggest that thermal ablation has minimal impact on future fertility and pregnancy outcomes compared with more invasive cervical procedures.
Is thermal ablation effective?
Yes. Studies have shown thermal ablation to have high success rates in treating eligible pre-cancerous cervical lesions, with effectiveness comparable to cryotherapy in appropriate patients.
Who may qualify for thermal ablation?
Thermal ablation is used for selected pre-cancerous cervical lesions that meet treatment criteria. A healthcare provider will first assess the cervix through screening methods such as VIA, speculoscope-assisted VIA, or colposcopic evaluation to determine if the lesion is appropriate for treatment.
Not all patients are candidates for thermal ablation, and some women may require further evaluation, biopsy, or referral for advanced care.
CALL TO ACTION
Early Treatment Can Prevent Cervical Cancer
👉 Book your cervical cancer screening today
👉 Find out if treatment is needed before cancer develops
Bring Screen-and-Treat Services to Your Community
CerviQ supports LGUs, clinics, and healthcare organizations in implementing:
- Cervical screening programs
- Thermal ablation capability
- Training and referral systems