Cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus that connects to the vagina, often referred to as the neck of the womb. Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells of the cervix. The abnormal cells, sometimes called precancerous tissue, which further develops as cervical cancer. A virus called HPV causes cervical cancer. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

Types of cervical cancer

• Squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
• Adenocarcinoma. This type of cervical cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.
• Sometimes, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Very rarely, cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix.

Chemotherapy uses medications, usually injected into a vein, to kill cancer cells. Low doses of chemotherapy are often combined with radiation therapy, since chemotherapy may enhance the effects of the radiation. Higher doses of chemotherapy are used to control advanced cervical cancer that may not be curable.