Cervical Cancer Information
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What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a malignant growth or tumor that originates in the cervical tissue. Part of the female reproductive system, the cervix is the organ that connects the uterus and vagina, and dilates during childbirth.
Cervical cancer is usually slow growing. When cancer is confined to the outside layer of the cervix, it is called non-invasive cervical cancer. When cancer has spread from the surface of the cervix to tissue deeper in the cervix or to other parts of the body, it is called invasive cervical cancer.
Women ages 35-55 make up about half of reported cervical cancer cases. Because cervical cancer begins in different parts of the uterus than other forms of uterine cancer, it is important to note that cervical cancer requires different cancer treatment.
Types of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer can be invasive, meaning that it has spread beyond the cervix, or non-invasive, meaning that it has not. There are two main types of cervical cancer:
- Squamous Cell Carcinomas - Made up of cells that cover the surface of the cervix, this type of cancer makes up between 80 and 90 percent of all diagnosed cervical cancers.
- Adenocarcinomas - This form of cervical cancer starts in the gland cells that produce mucus. Rarely, this form of cancer can show features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas and is then referred to as mixed carcinoma.
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