Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a disease where cancer cells form in tissues of the cervix, and begin to grow uncontrollably. These cells can form tumors and spread to other parts of the body.

Cervical cancer develops in the thin layer of cells called the epithelium, which cover the cervix. Cells found in the this tissue have different shapes:

• Squamous cells (flat and scaly). Most cervical cancer arises from changes in the squamous cells of the epithelium (squamous cell carcinoma).
• Columnar cells (column-like). These cells line the cervical glands and cancers here are known as adenocarcinomas.
• In rare cases, cancer can occur in cells that form the supportive tissue around the cervix (the stroma).

Cervical cancer usually begins slowly with precancerous abnormalities, and even if cancer develops, it generally progresses very gradually. Cervical cancer is the most preventable type of cancer and is very treatable in its early stages. Regular Pap tests and human papilloma virus (HPV) screening can help detect this disease early.