Experts in Cervical Cancer Care
If you have cervical cancer, your outcomes are likely to be better if a gynecologic oncologist treats you from the beginning. Fred Hutch Cancer Center has more gynecologic oncologists than any other medical center or clinic in the Pacific Northwest. Your Fred Hutch gynecologic oncologist and pathologist specialize in finding out the stage and specific features of your disease. They will design a custom treatment plan to get the best possible outcome for you.
Our cervical cancer experts provide all standard therapies for this disease. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery. Our physicians and researchers also do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these trials, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
We integrate supportive care services into your cancer treatment and as part of our holistic approach. We’ll connect you to world-class professionals who can help you, like registered dietitians and psychologists.
Where you are treated matters. Coming to Fred Hutch after a cervical cancer diagnosis means you are now at the center of one of the most experienced, research-driven, comprehensive cancer care centers in the country.
Understanding the Uterus
The uterus is pear shaped with the narrow end pointing down. This narrow lower end, which extends into the vagina, is the cervix. The wider upper part is the body of the uterus.
There are three layers to the body of the uterus:
- Endometrium, the inner lining
- Myometrium, a thick layer of muscle
- Serosa, the outer covering, or membrane
Connective tissue called stroma supports the other uterine tissues.
About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer starts on the surface of the cervix. When normal cells first begin to change and grow abnormally, it is called dysplasia. Dysplasia isn’t cancer. But without treatment these cells may turn into cancer and move deeper into nearby tissues and organs.
Cancer can start in the inner lining of the uterus. This is called endometrial cancer, which we discuss in its own section of this website. It can also start other parts of the uterus, such as in the thick outer layer of muscle or the connective tissue that supports the endometrium. These are types of uterine sarcoma, which also has its own section.
Types of Cervical Cancer
There are two main types of cervical cancer — squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma — as well as more rare types.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
About 85% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. They begin in the ectocervix, the outer part of the cervix that opens to the vagina.
Adenocarcinoma
The remaining 10% to 15% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from the gland cells of the endocervix, the inner part of the cervix that connects the rest of the uterus to the vagina.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma
This type of cancer is rare. It has features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. It’s also called mixed carcinoma.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Cervical Cancer Care
Ask your primary care provider to help you understand the best cervical cancer screening plan for you.
- Are any cervical cancer screening tests recommended for me?
- How often should I have the test?
- At what age should I stop having it?
- What is the purpose of the test?
- What will the results tell us?
Your provider can also explain details like how to prepare for your screening, what happens during the screening, how you’ll get the results and what to do next.
When physicians and scientists talk about cancer survival rates, they typically mean the percentage of people expected to survive their cancer for at least five years after being diagnosed. (The rate doesn’t include the risk of dying during that time for some other reason.) Overall, the relative five-year survival rate for cervical cancer in the United States is 68%, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.
These rates come from looking at a large, varied group of people. The chance of surviving cancer at least five years can vary greatly from one person to another. It depends on many factors, like how far the cancer has spread. Your Fred Hutch care team can explain how statistics like survival rates might apply to you.
Learn more about cervical cancer survival rates.
The Fred Hutch patient and family education team works with other Fred Hutch experts to create reliable resources and select materials from trusted cancer organizations. Find a resource.
