Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide. Cervical cancer generally grows slowly, with the cervical cells (which develop in the cervix) undergoing several changes called dysplasia, in which abnormal cells appear in the tissues of the cervix. These abnormal cells may grow into cancer cells over time and spread deeper into the cervix and the nearby areas. Squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas are the most common types of cervical cancers. Squamous cell carcinomas develop from the exocervical cells, whereas adenocarcinomas develop from the endocervix’s gland cells, which produce mucus. Additionally, adenosquamous carcinoma, also known as mixed carcinoma, is a rare cervical cancer which has similar characteristics to both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Most cervical cancers arise from the squamocolumnar junction, where both glandular and squamous cells meet (the cervix’s transformation zone), and then spread to local lymph nodes. Pre-cancers and early cervical cancers are usually asymptomatic, and most symptoms appear only after the cancer has spread to the surrounding areas. The most common symptoms include pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include vaginal discharge, dyspareunia, and postcoital bleeding. 

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