Adenocarcinoma is a type of cervical cancer. It develops from columnar cells normally found on the surface of the endocervix. Most tumours start from a non-invasive type of cancer called endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). What are the symptoms of adenocarcinoma of the cervix? The most common symptom of adenocarcinoma of the cervix is abnormal …
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What does ASC-US mean on a Pap smear of the cervix? ASC-US stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. It means that abnormal cells were found on the surface of your cervix when the Pap smear was performed. Does ASC-US on a Pap smear mean cancer? No. ASC-US does not mean cancer. However, it …
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What is the cervix? The cervix is part of the female genital tract. It is found at the bottom of the uterus where it forms an opening into the endometrial cavity of the uterus. The cervix is commonly divided into two parts – the ectocervix and the endocervix which meet at an area called the …
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What is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia? Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a pre-cancerous disease in the cervix. It is called pre-cancerous because over time it can change into a type of cervical cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. CIN is divided into three levels – CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3 – and the risk of developing cancer is …
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The transformation zone is a part of the cervix where the squamous cells that make up the ectocervix meet the glandular cells that make up the endocervix. In this area of the cervix, the glandular cells that make up the endocervix are slowly replaced by squamous cells. This process is called squamous metaplasia. As a …
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What does the term negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) mean? Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) means that no pre-cancerous or cancerous cells were seen in your Pap smear. It is a normal result. How do pathologists make this diagnosis? The diagnosis of NILM is made after a Pap smear of the …
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What does ASC-H mean? ASC-H stands for atypical squamous cells, cannot rule out HSIL. It means that abnormal squamous cells were seen in your Pap smear. These abnormal cells raise the possibility that a more serious pre-cancerous disease called high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) may be present in your cervix. What causes ASC-H? Causes of …
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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of cervical cancer. The tumour starts from squamous cells normally found on the outside surface of the cervix. What causes squamous cell carcinoma in the cervix? The most common cause of SCC of the cervix is infection with a sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). …
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What is low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of the cervix? Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is a non-cancerous, sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). This condition may affect both women and men. In addition to the cervix, LSIL can also affect the vagina and vulva. In …
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High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) is a precancerous condition that starts from cells on the outside surface of the cervix. If not treated it can lead to a type of cervical cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. What causes high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of the cervix? HSIL is a sexually transmitted disease caused by …
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