How does cervical cancer develop

The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass tumor. Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break off from a tumor to spread metastasize elsewhere in the body. It isn't clear what causes cervical cancer, but it's certain that HPV plays a role. HPV is very common, and most people with the virus never develop cancer.

This means other factors — such as your environment or your lifestyle choices — also determine whether you'll develop cervical cancer.

The type of cervical cancer that you have helps determine your prognosis and treatment. The main types of cervical cancer are:.

Sometimes, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Very rarely, cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix. Cervical cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Cervical cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Cervical cancer Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix. Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, women should understand what is normal for their bodies, and report any cervical cancer symptoms to a physician as soon as they develop.

Some symptoms of cervical cancer include:. Cervical cancer occurs when cells in the cervix grow and divide uncontrollably. Unlike many other cancers whose causes are largely still unknown, cervical cancer is most often caused by human papillomavirus HPV. Women can get an HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains of HPV that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer.

These tests can help your physician detect abnormal changes in the cervix before cancer fully develops. When detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable.

Moffitt Cancer Center offers comprehensive screening, diagnostic and treatment services for patients with cervical cancer. If you are showing symptoms of this condition, or if you have received a diagnosis and would like to explore your treatment options at Moffitt, request an appointment by calling or submitting a new patient registration form online. You do not need a referral. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Skip to main content. Home Cancer. Cervical cancer. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Function of the cervix The cervix lies at the base of the uterus womb and opens into the vagina.

Some of the functions of the cervix include: producing lubrication for the vagina producing mucous to help the movement of sperm holding the baby in the uterus during pregnancy.

Symptoms of cervical cancer Most cervical cell changes have no symptoms. Types of cervical cancer There are two main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell cancer - this is the most common type of cervical cancer.

It starts in the cells that cover the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina. The Cervical Screening Test can usually detect early cell changes that could lead to squamous cell cancer. It starts in the glandular cells, which are found in the cervical canal. The Cervical Screening Test cannot easily detect early changes that lead to this cancer, although sometimes these changes are picked up. Risk factors for cervical cancer Cervical cancer almost always develops from cell changes caused by the human papillomavirus HPV , which is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

Cervical cancer and the Cervical Screening Test The Cervical Screening Test is a quick and simple test that checks for changes in the cervical cells that may lead to cervical cancer. Diagnosis of cervical cancer Various tests are used to detect cervical cancer including: colposcopy - examines the vagina and cervix with a magnifying instrument to check for abnormalities biopsy - a small tissue sample is taken from the cervix during a colposcopy cone biopsy - a larger tissue sample is removed from the cervix under anaesthetic.

Treatment for cervical cancer Some of the treatments for cervical cancer include: cone biopsy - if detected early, some cervical cancers can be removed during a biopsy hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus radiotherapy - the use of x-rays to destroy the cancer cells chemotherapy - the use of anti-cancer drugs that stop cancer cells from multiplying.

When a cure for cervical cancer isn't possible If cervical cancer has been diagnosed in its later stages, the cancer may have spread to the point where a cure is no longer possible. Cervical cancer , Cancer Council Victoria. More information here. Department of Health - Screening and Cancer Prevention. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No.