The topic Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer you are seeking is a synonym, or alternative name, or is closely related to the medical condition Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix.

Quick Summary:

• Cervical cancer is a malignancy of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus/womb. It is the 2nd or 3rd most common cancer in women worldwide, and over half a million cases are diagnosed each year
• The cervix is the tube that connects the uterus to the vagina. The inner part of this tube is lined by tall cells that secrete mucus (glandular cells) and the outer portion that opens into the vagina is covered by flattened cells (squamous cells). The junction between these two cells types, called the transformation zone, is the usual site of origin of cervical cancer
• The development of cervical cancer occurs slowly and the process of pre-cancerous changes (dysplasia) leading onto invasive cancer, generally takes place over decades. Hence, periodic screening of women with Pap smears helps in early detection and management of any pre-cancerous change, before a full-blown malignancy develops. Almost all cervical cancers are believed to originate from a premalignant lesion
• A vast majority of cancers arising from the cervix (almost 70 %) are squamous cell carcinomas. The second most common type is adenocarcinoma. This differentiation is based on the appearance of cells when observed under a microscope. Pap smear screening and HPV DNA testing helps detect high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) successfully in many cases, which is an early indicative lesion of future Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix (if untreated)
• Screening with Pap smear helps in early detection of pre-cancers and cancers. Any abnormality found on a Pap smear, is further scrutinized with an instrument, called a colposcope, and a biopsy of the abnormal areas performed, to make a diagnosis
• If the biopsy shows Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix; then, the tumor is staged (growth and spread of cancer is examined) and treatment options chosen, based on the staging and other factors. The treatment may involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy
• The prognosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix depends upon a set of several factors including the stage of the tumor, age of the individual, the size of the tumor, and many other factors. In general, early detection and adequate treatment can help achieve a better outcome

There are many histological variants of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix and these include the following:

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix, Keratinizing Type
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix, Non-Keratinizing Type
• Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix, Basaloid type
• Warty (Condylomatous) Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix
• Verrucous Carcinoma of Cervix
• Squamotransitional Carcinoma of Cervix
• Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of Cervix

The above-mentioned variants are classified based upon the microscopic findings, when examined by a pathologist under a microscope. This sub-classification of tumor may dictate the type of treatment to be provided and the prognosis of the cancer. Almost all variants are related to HPV infection; mostly to HPV-16 or HPV-18.

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