The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb). The uterus has two parts. The upper part, called the body of the uterus, is where the baby grows. The cervix, in the lower part, connects the body of the uterus to the vagina, or birth canal.
Cancer of the cervix (also called "cervical cancer") begins in the lining of the cervix. This cancer does not form suddenly. First, some cells begin to change from normal to pre-cancer and then to cancer. This can take a number of years, although sometimes it happens more quickly. These changes are referred to by several terms, including dysplasia. For some women, these changes may go away without any treatment. More often, they need to be treated to keep them from changing into true cancers.
There are two main types of cancer of the cervix. About 80% to 90% are squamous cell carcinomas. The other 10%-20% are adenocarcinomas. If the cancer has features of both types it is called mixed carcinoma. If you have cervical cancer, ask your doctor to explain exactly what type of cancer you have.
The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be about 11,070 new cases of invasive cervical cancer in the United States in 2008. About 3,870 women will die from this disease that same year. Some researchers think that non-invasive cervical cancer is about 4 times as common as the invasive type. When found and treated early, cervical cancer often can be cured.
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. But since 1955 the number of deaths from cervical cancer has declined a lot. The main reason for this change is the use of the Pap test to find cervical cancer early.
Minimally Invasive Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology of New York Phone 914-761-0900 212-717-0777 Fax 914-761-8900
