Cervical cancer: malignant cancer of the cervix or cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding, but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages, which has made cervical cancer the focus of intense Pap screening efforts. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the cervix. The body (upper part) of the uterus is where the fetus grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus with the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix). The place where these 2 parts meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers begin in the transformation zone.
About 85% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which develop in the flat, skin-like, squamous cells that cover the cervix. Most other cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from glandular cells, or adenosquamous carcinomas, which develop from a combination of cell types.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
Symptoms usually don’t appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, which can start and stop between regular menstrual periods or can occur after sexual intercourse.
Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal or a change in your menstrual cycle that you cannot explain.
Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before. Bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam.
Painful urination: Bladder pain or painful urination can be a symptom of advanced cervical cancer. This symptom of cervical cancer usually occurs when the cancer has spread to the bladder.
Causes of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer most often begins in the thin, flat cells that line the lower part of the cervix (squamous cells). Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 80 percent of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer can also occur in the glandular cells that line the upper part of the cervix.
Genetic material that comes from certain forms of HPV has been found in cervical tissues that show cancerous or precancerous changes.
Most cervical cancers are caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus, or HPV. You get HPV by having sex with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts, but other types may not cause any symptoms.
The virus is a sexually transmitted disease. There are more than 50 types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that infect humans. Types 6 and 11 usually cause warts, while types 16, 18, 31, and 33 usually cause high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN-2 and CIN-3) and carcinomas.
More than 90 percent of all cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and researchers believe that this cancer may be a sexually transmitted disease. There is much evidence that cervical carcinoma is related to sexually transmitted organisms.
Chemical exposure: Women who work on farms or in manufacturing may be exposed to chemicals that can increase their risk of cervical cancer.
Women who have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, often take medications that weaken the body’s natural immunity or ability to fight disease. These women are also at increased risk of cervical cancer and should be closely monitored by their gynecologist for the development of precancerous changes in the cervix.
