Malignant tumors of the cervix Malignant tumors are cancerous growths that have the potential to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the two main types of cervical cancer. These types of cervical cancer usually develop from precancerous changes in the cervix. Not all precancerous changes progress to cancer, but when they do it usually takes several years for cancer to develop. Other types of cervical tumors can also occur, but they are not very common. Most types of cervical cancer are treated the same way, with a few differences for some of the rare types. Squamous cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) starts in the flat, scaly cells called squamous cells that line the outer surface of the cervix (ectocervix), mostly in the area called the squamo-columnar junction (or transformation zone). They account for about 80% to 90% of all cervical cancers. SCC usually develops from precancerous changes in the cervix. Types of squamous cell carcinoma • Non-keratinizing SCC refers to squamous cells that grow in masses or nests. • Keratinizing SCC refers to nest-like cells that vary in size, are irregular in shape and contain clumps of squamous cells called keratin pearls. • Verrucous (wart-like) carcinoma is a rare form of SCC of the cervix that is characterized by cancer cells that tend to grow slowly and are less aggressive. • Other rare types of SCC include:papillary serous carcinoma transitional cell carcinoma warty carcinoma lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma Adenocarcinoma Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular cells of the endocervix. Adenocarcinomas account for about 10% of cervical cancers. They occur more often in younger women. Adenocarcinoma usually develops from precancerous changes in the cervix and may cause the cervix to become enlarged or barrel-shaped. Types of adenocarcinoma • Mucinous adenocarcinoma is the most common type. It may also be called endocervical-type adenocarcinoma. The tumor contains nests of irregular-shaped gland cells. • Endometrioid adenocarcinoma occurs less commonly. It resembles cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial carcinoma). • Clear cell carcinoma may occur in daughters of women who used diethylstilbestrol (DES) during their pregnancy. The tumor contains sheets of cancer cells that appear clear. • Other rare types of adenocarcinoma include: serous adenocarcinoma villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma adenoma maligna mesonephric adenocarcinoma microcystic endocervical adenocarcinoma Rare cervical tumors Rare malignant cervical tumors make up less than 5% of all cervical cancers. • Adenosquamous carcinoma contains features of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It accounts for 3–5% of all cervical cancers and can affect women of any age. • Glassy cell carcinoma is a rare and typically aggressive tumor. These tumors are usually treated with surgery and radiation therapy. • Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a very rare (less than 1% of all cervical cancers) and aggressive form of cervical cancer. This type of cervical cancer is mostly found in older women of African descent whose symptoms include post-menopausal bleeding. This type of cervical cancer tends to be associated with a less favorable prognosis. • Adenoid basal epithelioma is a slow-growing (indolent) type of cervical cancer that has an excellent prognosis. It occurs most frequently in post-menopausal women of African descent who usually do not have any symptoms. • Small cell carcinoma of the cervix tends to be aggressive and is associated with a less favorable prognosis, even if the cancer is early stage. This type of cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy since the cancer has usually spread outside the cervix by the time of diagnosis. The type of chemotherapy is different than the chemotherapy given for most cervical cancers since this form of cervical cancer behaves similarly to small cell carcinoma of the lung. •Carcinoid tumors of the cervix can be slow growing (indolent) or fast growing (aggressive). These tumors behave like carcinoid tumors of the intestine and are usually treated similarly. • There are several types of cervical sarcoma that include carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. Most women with cervical sarcoma report abnormal bleeding from the vagina. If they are caught early, these tumors are usually treated with radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and Fallopian tubes) and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes. • Melanoma of the cervix is very uncommon. It is associated with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Melanoma of the cervix is usually treated with radical hysterectomy and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes. • Lymphoma of the cervix accounts for less than 1% of all reproductive system lymphomas and has been associated with immunosuppression. Lymphoma of the cervix occurs most often in premenopausal women. Most cases of this type of cervical cancer are not found with cervical screening. Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge with pelvic pain commonly occurs in women with this type of cervical cancer.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 01:40:44 +0000
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