Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Here’s a list of the main types of cervical cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of cervical cancer, accounting for about 80-90% of cases. It originates in the flat, thin cells lining the outer surface of the cervix.
- Adenocarcinoma: This type of cervical cancer develops from the glandular cells lining the cervical canal. It accounts for approximately 10-20% of cervical cancers.
- Adenosquamous carcinoma: This is a less common type of cervical cancer that contains both squamous and glandular cells. It has characteristics of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
- Small cell carcinoma: This is a rare and aggressive type of cervical cancer that develops from neuroendocrine cells. It constitutes a small percentage of cervical cancer cases.
- Neuroendocrine tumors: These tumors arise from neuroendocrine cells and can include various subtypes such as carcinoid tumors, large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, and small cell carcinomas.