Cervical Cancer – A Review Article

Abstract

Cervical Cancer is malignant Carcinoma type of cancer originate in cervix region. The cervix is the narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top of the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, arising in the squamous (flattened) epithelial cells that line the cervix. Adenocarcinoma, arising in glandular epithelial cells is the second most common type. Very rarely, cancer can arise in other types of cells in the cervix. Cancer refers to a class of diseases in which a cell or a group of cells divide and replicate uncontrollably, intrude into adjacent cells and tissues (invasion) and ultimately spread to other parts of the body than the location at which they arose (metastasis) (National Cancer Institute 2009). In cervical cancer, (cancer of the uterine cervix), cancer develops in the tissues of the cervix, which is a part of the female reproductive system. The cervix connects the upper body of the uterus to the vagina. The endocervix (the upper part which is close to the uterus) is covered by glandular cells, and the ectocervix (the lower part which is close to the vagina) is covered by squamous cells. The transformation zone refers to the place where these two regions of the cervix meet (American Cancer Society 2009).

KEYWORDS:  Types of Cervical Cancer, Etiology, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention