Prof. Qiu Lihua (邱丽华) — Photodynamic Therapy for HPV, Cervical Precancer & Pregnancy Screening | Renji Hospital Shanghai
The prevention of cervical cancer begins long before a malignancy develops — with the detection and treatment of HPV infection and cervical precancerous lesions (CIN) that, if left untreated, may progress to invasive cancer over years or decades. Prof. Qiu Lihua (邱丽华) at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, has built her clinical reputation on precisely this preventive frontier: she pioneered the introduction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) into the treatment of cervical precancerous lesions and HPV infection in China, achieving treatment success rates of 85–95% — and has extended her impact to the national level by developing and promoting a combined cervical cancer screening protocol for pregnant women that has been adopted across China.
As Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Renji Hospital and a Shanghai Leading Talent, Prof. Qiu represents a distinctive and complementary dimension of cervical cancer care: not only treating established cancer, but intervening at the earliest possible stage to prevent it — and ensuring that vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, are not missed by standard screening programs.
Specialty Focus
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for HPV infection and cervical precancerous lesions (CIN I–III)
- Cervical cancer prevention: colposcopy, biopsy, LEEP, and PDT
- Cervical cancer screening in pregnancy: combined protocol development and implementation
- Gynecologic oncology: cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer surgical management
- Obstetrics: high-risk pregnancy management
- Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
Academic & Clinical Titles
- Chief Physician & Professor, Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
- Shanghai Leading Talent (上海领军人才)
- Pioneer of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for HPV infection and cervical precancerous lesions in China
- PDT treatment success rate: 85–95%
- Developer of China's national combined cervical cancer screening protocol for pregnant women
Photodynamic Therapy: A New Approach to HPV and Cervical Precancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the necessary cause of virtually all cervical cancers. Most HPV infections clear spontaneously, but persistent infection with high-risk HPV types (particularly HPV 16 and 18) can lead to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) — precancerous changes in the cervical epithelium that, if untreated, may progress to invasive cervical cancer over a period of years to decades.
Standard treatments for CIN — including LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) and cold knife conization — are effective but involve removal of cervical tissue, which can affect cervical competence and increase the risk of preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. For women who wish to preserve their fertility and cervical integrity, a treatment that can eliminate HPV infection and CIN without tissue removal would be highly advantageous.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers precisely this possibility. PDT involves the application of a photosensitizing agent to the cervix, followed by activation with a specific wavelength of light. The activated photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species that selectively destroy HPV-infected and dysplastic cells while sparing normal cervical tissue. The result is elimination of the HPV infection and regression of CIN — without the tissue removal and cervical scarring associated with LEEP or conization.
Prof. Qiu Lihua pioneered the introduction of PDT for cervical precancerous lesions and HPV infection in China, and her clinical results demonstrate its effectiveness:
- Treatment success rate: 85–95% across HPV infection and CIN lesions
- Preservation of cervical tissue integrity — particularly important for women who wish to conceive
- Non-invasive outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time
- Applicable to CIN I, CIN II, and selected CIN III lesions, as well as persistent HPV infection without CIN
For international patients with persistent HPV infection or cervical precancerous lesions — particularly those who wish to preserve fertility and avoid tissue-removing procedures — Prof. Qiu's PDT program offers a clinically validated alternative that is not widely available outside specialized centers.
Who Is a Candidate for PDT?
PDT is most appropriate for patients with:
- Persistent high-risk HPV infection (particularly HPV 16/18) without CIN, or with CIN I
- CIN II or CIN III in women who wish to preserve fertility and avoid LEEP/conization
- Recurrent CIN after prior LEEP or conization
- CIN in pregnant women (where LEEP/conization carries additional risks)
- Patients who have had multiple prior LEEP procedures and have limited remaining cervical tissue
Prof. Qiu's team conducts a thorough colposcopic and histological assessment before recommending PDT, ensuring that the treatment is appropriate for each patient's specific lesion characteristics and clinical situation.
National Cervical Cancer Screening Protocol for Pregnant Women
Pregnancy presents a unique challenge for cervical cancer screening and management. Standard screening protocols are often modified or deferred during pregnancy due to concerns about procedural safety, and the physiological changes of pregnancy can make colposcopic assessment more difficult. As a result, cervical abnormalities in pregnant women may be missed or inadequately evaluated — with potentially serious consequences if an invasive cancer is present.
Prof. Qiu Lihua addressed this gap by developing a combined cervical cancer screening protocol specifically for pregnant women — integrating cytology, HPV testing, and colposcopy in a structured approach adapted to the physiological and safety considerations of pregnancy. This protocol has been adopted and promoted nationally across China, reflecting its clinical validity and practical utility in a population that is particularly vulnerable to gaps in cervical cancer screening.
For international patients who are pregnant and have concerns about cervical abnormalities, HPV infection, or inadequate prior screening, Prof. Qiu's expertise in pregnancy-adapted cervical cancer evaluation provides a uniquely specialized resource.
Comprehensive Gynecologic Oncology Care
Beyond her pioneering work in HPV and cervical precancer, Prof. Qiu provides comprehensive gynecologic oncology care including surgical management of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. Her dual expertise in obstetrics and gynecologic oncology makes her particularly well-suited to manage patients at the intersection of these fields — including pregnant women with gynecologic cancers, women with gynecologic cancers who wish to preserve fertility, and women with complex gynecologic conditions requiring both oncological and obstetric expertise.
Who Should Consider Consulting Prof. Qiu Lihua
- Women with persistent high-risk HPV infection seeking treatment beyond watchful waiting
- Women with CIN I, II, or III who wish to avoid LEEP/conization and preserve cervical integrity
- Women with recurrent CIN after prior LEEP or conization
- Pregnant women with cervical abnormalities or HPV infection requiring specialized evaluation
- Women with limited remaining cervical tissue after multiple prior procedures
- Women seeking cervical cancer screening during pregnancy
- Patients with cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer seeking gynecologic oncology surgical evaluation
How CMCS Connects You with Prof. Qiu Lihua
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) facilitates access to Prof. Qiu Lihua for international patients with HPV infection, cervical precancerous lesions, and gynecologic cancers. Our team manages the full coordination process — from remote case review and medical record translation to appointment scheduling, interpretation, and in-hospital support.
To begin, patients or their families are encouraged to share available medical records including HPV typing results, cervical cytology (Pap smear/ThinPrep) reports, colposcopy reports and biopsy results, prior treatment history (LEEP, conization, etc.), and any relevant imaging. Prof. Qiu's team can conduct an initial remote assessment before any travel to Shanghai is required.
CMCS provides end-to-end support including:
- Medical record translation (English, Arabic, French, and other languages)
- Remote pre-consultation case review
- Appointment coordination with Prof. Qiu Lihua at Renji Hospital Shanghai
- On-site interpretation during consultations and procedures
- Post-consultation summary and follow-up support
Contact CMCS to Connect with Prof. Qiu Lihua
📧 contract@medicalsh.com
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/3AM6KAGCW2BAD1
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CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai connects international patients with Shanghai's leading specialists. We are a health management company, not a hospital. All clinical decisions are made by the treating physician.
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