Cervical carcinoma
Cervical Carcinoma
Cervical carcinoma (pronounced: /ˈsɜːrvɪkəl kɑːrsɪˈnoʊmə/) is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Etymology
The term "cervical" originates from the Latin word "cervix" which means "neck", referring to the neck of the uterus. "Carcinoma" is derived from the Greek words "karkinos" meaning "crab" and "oma" meaning "tumor", together indicating a cancerous tumor.
Types
There are two main types of cervical carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.
Symptoms
Early-stage cervical carcinoma generally produces no signs or symptoms. Advanced cervical carcinoma may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for the individual, such as bleeding after sex.
Causes
Cervical carcinoma begins when healthy cells in the cervix develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and divide rapidly, and to continue living when healthy cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break off from an initial tumor to spread elsewhere in the body (metastasis).
Risk Factors
Risk factors for cervical carcinoma include: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, having many sexual partners, early sexual activity, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), weak immune system, and smoking.
Prevention
Prevention strategies for cervical carcinoma include: HPV vaccination, regular Pap tests, and practicing safe sex.
Treatment
Treatment for cervical carcinoma depends on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer, other health problems you may have and your preferences. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cervical carcinoma
- Wikipedia's article - Cervical carcinoma
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