Cervical Cancer Symptoms and Treatments

Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancers don't form suddenly. Normal cervical cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Doctors use several terms to describe these pre-cancerous changes, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), and Dysplasia.

There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Cervical cancers and cervical precancers are classified by how they look under a microscope. About 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are composed of cells that resemble the flat, thin cells called squamous cells that cover the surface of the endocervix. Squamous cell carcinomas usually begin where the ectocervix joins the endocervix. The remaining 10% to 20% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years.

You can prevent most precancers of the cervix by avoiding exposure to HPV. HPV is a member of a family of viruses that can cause abnormal tissue growth (such as genital warts) and other changes to cells. Delaying having sexual intercourse if you are young can help you avoid HPV. Limiting your number of sexual partners and avoiding sex with people who have had many other sexual partners lower your risk of exposure to HPV. Remember that HPV does not always cause warts or other symptoms, so a person may have the virus and pass it on without knowing it. HPV can be present for years with no symptoms. It is spread through sex. HPV infection is common. About 20 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV, and by age 50, at least 80% of women will have had an HPV infection, according to the CDC. Most women with HPV infection don't develop cervical cancer.