Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor originating in the cervix, primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which accounts for nearly 99% of cases. It predominantly affects women in low- and middle-income countries due to limited access to prevention and screening. The disease typically begins as dysplastic or premalignant lesions at the squamocolumnar junction and progresses slowly to invasive carcinoma. The two main histological types are squamous cell carcinoma (up to 90% of cases) and adenocarcinoma, with some tumors exhibiting features of both, known as mixed or adenosquamous carcinoma. Early stages often present no symptoms, but advanced disease may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, or urinary difficulties. Diagnosis relies on screening methods such as the Pap test and HPV testing, with colposcopy used for further evaluation. The HPV vaccine plays a critical role in prevention by targeting oncogenic HPV strains, while regular screening enables early detection and effective treatment, significantly reducing mortality.
References: