page_title: Cervical cancer
section_title: Diagnosis
hierarchical_section_title: Cervical cancer / Diagnosis
caption_attribution_description: English: Cervical cancer - T2 weighted sagittal MR image of the pelvis Slovenčina: Karcinóm krčka maternice - T2-vážený sagitálny rez maternicou, vyšetrenie magnetickou rezonanciou
context_page_description: Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse. While bleeding after sex may not be serious, it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer.
  Human papillomavirus infection causes more than 90% of cases; most people who have had HPV infections, however, do not develop cervical cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, a weak immune system, birth control pills, starting sex at a young age, and having many sexual partners, but these are less important. Cervical cancer typically develops from precancerous changes over 10 to 20 years. About 90% of cervical cancer cases are squamous cell carcinomas, 10% are adenocarcinoma, and a small number are other types. Diagnosis is typically by cervical screening followed by a biopsy. Medical imaging is then done to determine whether or not the cancer has spread.
caption: Cervical cancer seen on a T2-weighted sagittal MR image of the pelvis
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