Cervical Cancer
A cervix refers to an opening between the vagina and the womb. A cancerous growth in this area is referred to as cervical cancer. It is the second most common cancer among Indian women and accounts for 22.86% of all cancer cases.
In most cases, chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the causative factor for cancer. This infection may also cause vaginal or penile cancer.
Depending on the type of cell affected, cervical cancer is of the following types:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of cervical cancer which starts in the squamous or skin-like cells covering the cervix
- Adenocarcinoma: This is a rare type which starts in the glandular cells or the mucous-producing cells in the cervi
