Cervical Cancer

What Is Cervical Cancer?

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). The upper part, or body, of the uterus, is where a fetus grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the end cervix. The part next to the vagina is the ectodermic. Most cervical cancers start where these 2 parts meet.

Cancer of the cervix (also known as cervical cancer) begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancers do not form suddenly. Normal cervical cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Doctors use several terms to describe these pre-cancerous changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoclassical (CIN), aqueous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and dysphasia.

There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squalors cell carcinoma and Aden carcinoma. Cervical cancers and cervical prefacers are classified by how they look under a microscope. About 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squalors cell carcinomas, which are composed of cells that resemble the flat, thin cells called squalors cells that cover the surface of the end cervix. Squalors cell carcinomas most often begin where the ectodermic joins the end cervix.

The remaining 10% to 20% of cervical cancers are Aden carcinomas. Aden carcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years. Cervical Aden carcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the end cervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squalors cell carcinomas and Aden carcinomas. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas.

Only some women with pre-cancerous changes of the cervix will develop cancer. This process usually takes several years but sometimes can happen in less than a year. For most women, pre-cancerous cells will remain unchanged and go away without any treatment. But if these prefacers are treated, almost all true cancers can be prevented. Pre-cancerous changes and specific types of treatment for prefacers are discussed in the section, "Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?"

Precancerous changes can be separated into different categories based on how the cells of the cervix look under a microscope. These categories are discussed in the section, "Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?"