What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into nearby tissue and destroy it. The tumour can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It’s the narrow, lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects the uterus to the vagina.
Cells in the cervix sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. These changes may lead to non-cancerous (benign) tumours such as polyps, cysts or fibroids.
Changes to cells of the cervix can also cause precancerous conditions. This means that the abnormal cells are not yet cancer, but there is a chance that they will become cancer over time. Doctors use many terms to describe these changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and dysplasia.
But in some cases, changes to cervical cells can cause cervical cancer. Most often, cervical cancer starts in round, flat cells called squamous cells. These cells cover the outside of the cervix. This type of cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix.
Cancer can also start in glandular cells. These cells line the passageway that connects the uterus to the vagina. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma of the cervix.
Rare types of cervical cancer can also develop. These include adenosquamous carcinoma, glassy cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
The cervix
Cancerous tumours of the cervix
Precancerous conditions of the cervix
Non-cancerous tumours of the cervix
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