What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor deriving from cells of the "cervix uteri", which is the lower part, the "neck" of the womb, the female reproductive organ.

One of the most common cancers in women

Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women in underdeveloped countries. It is one of the most common cancers that affect a woman's reproductive organs. Cervical cancer that spreads to other organs may cause constipation, blood in the urine called hematuria, fistula that is the abnormal opening in the cervix, and also can cause obstruction in the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Cancer stages and treatment

Early cervical cancer does not show any signs or symptoms. It is usually a very slow growing cancer. Cervical cancer when diagnosed at later stages can be treated however the success rate is much lower. Most women that have invasive cervical cancer will be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation or some combination of these. There are women that will have a hysterectomy as a consequence of cervical cancer that has spread within the cervix.

The role of screening

In women who receive regular screening, the first sign of the disease is usually an abnormal Pap test result. Pap smears are the best screening technique currently available to evaluate the cells on the face of the cervix. The Pap smear is defined as a test for the signs of cervical cancer such as cancerous or pre-cancerous cells of the cervix.

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This page was last updated:

April 22, 2006

It is not the intention of Cervicalcancer.org to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided, and Cervicalcancer.org urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.

Different Stages of Cervical Cancer

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN): This is also called cervical dysplasia; CIN is not cancer but the first of the cellular changes that may develop into cancer in some women. A Pap test detects these abnormal changes. This is common in women in their late teens to early twenties.

Noninvasive Carcinoma: This is the early form of cervical cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ. This involves only the top layer of cervical cells, not deeper layers of tissue in the cervix or elsewhere in the reproductive tract. It occurs mostly in women between 30 and 40 years of age.

Invasive Cervical Cancer: When the cancer penetrates deep into the cervix and into the neighboring tissues and organs it is called Invasive cervical cancer. The chances to be cured are high when diagnosed early and treated promptly. However, when the disease has spread outside the reproductive tract, it can be effectively treated in a very low percentage of cases. This occurs mostly in women between the ages of 40 and 60.

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