OB-GYN 101

While most cancer of the cervix comes from the squamous cells making up the exterior skin, there is an occasional cancer that arises from the mucous-producing cells which line the endocervical canal leading up into the uterus. This glandular-type is called "adenocarcinoma" as opposed to "squamous cell carcinoma."

Adenocarcinoma can be difficult to detect. Unlike squamous cell cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma precursers, when present, can be difficult to identify on Pap smears
• The slow progression of squamous cell dysplasia into squamous cell cancer of the cervix is not as uniform in adenocarcinoma.
• Early exfoliation of cancer cells externally, although a common feature of squamous cell cancer, is much less common among adenocarcinomas.

Consequently, adenocarcinoma of the cervix is frequently detected at a more advanced stage than squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatment is similar to that of the more common squamous cell cancer, but because it is more often found at a more advanced stage, more aggressive treatment is often needed.