Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Cervical Cancer

Q: What is the most common histological type of cervical cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 70-80% of cervical cancer cases, making it the most common histological type. This type is often associated with HPV 16.

Q: Which HPV types are most commonly associated with cervical cancer?

HPV 16 and 18 are the most common high-risk HPV types associated with cervical cancer, with HPV 16 being linked to squamous cell carcinoma and HPV 18 to adenocarcinoma.

Q: What is the primary mechanism by which HPV causes cervical cancer?

The E6 protein of HPV destroys p53, and the E7 protein inactivates Rb, leading to loss of cell cycle control and potentially causing dysplasia and invasion.

Q: What is the recommended screening tool for cervical cancer?

Pap smear, HPV DNA testing, and VIA are all used for screening cervical cancer, each with its own sensitivity and specificity. Pap smear has a sensitivity of 50-70%, HPV DNA testing around 90%, and VIA is used as a limited resource tool.

Q: What is the first-line management for preinvasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)?

LEEP is a common first-line treatment for preinvasive CIN, especially for CIN 2/3. It is preferred for its effectiveness and low complication rate.

Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from the cervical epithelium, primarily caused by persistent high-risk HPV integration, leading to cell cycle control loss and invasion. It is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with a peak incidence in women aged 25-35 years for preinvasive disease and 40-60 years for invasive disease. Understanding cervical cancer is crucial for medical students as it highlights the importance of screening, prevention through HPV vaccination, and early detection to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.

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1. What is the most common histological type of cervical cancer?

2. Which HPV types are most commonly associated with cervical cancer?

3. What is the primary mechanism by which HPV causes cervical cancer?

4. What is the recommended screening tool for cervical cancer?

5. What is the first-line management for preinvasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)?

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Cervical Cancer

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