your cervix called. it wants a check in.
Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Like all cancers, it starts when cells begin to grow out of control. The cervix is made up of two main types of cells – Glandular cells (inside the cervix) and Squamous cells (on the outer surface). Most cervical cancers develop in the area where these two cell types meet, called the transformation zone.
The two most common types of cervical cancer are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma (the most common)
- Adenocarcinoma, though other types can occur.
Both types are treatable, especially when found early — which is why regular screening is so important.
understanding Cervical cancer
Cervical cancers and cervical pre-cancers are classified by how they look in the lab with a microscope. The main types of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers develop from cells on the outer surface (exocervix). Squamous cell carcinomas most often begin in the transformation zone, where the exocervix joins the endocervix (the outer surface).
Most of the other cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are cancers that develop from glandular cells. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas.
Although almost all cervical cancers are either squamous cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas, other types of cancer also can develop in the cervix. These other types, such as melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma, occur more commonly in other parts of the body.
