The cervix is the lowermost portion of the uterus. Since the cervix extends into the upper portion of the vagina, the doctor can actually see it during a pelvic examination.
Cervical cancers start as an abnormality of the cells on the surface of the cervix.
These preinvasive abnormalities which are NOT cancerous, may be called dysplasia, SIL, or carcinoma in situ. If undetected or left untreated, preinvasive abnormalities may, in some cases, eventually invade the normal cells of the cervix. This invasion indicates that a cancer has started. From this point, a tumor can enlarge and grow and invade surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, or even spread further.