Histological Findings

Cervical cancers and pre-cancer types are determined by certain features found under the microscope. When determining which kind of cervical cancer it is, they look at two cell types, the squamous epithelial and the glands. If the cancer is in the epithelial lining, then the cancer is called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If it is in the glands, then it is called Adenocarcinomas. Usually it is Squamous Cell Carcinoma, about 80-90% of the time. This type often occurs in the transformation zone, or where the exocercix joins the endocervix.

This picture shows the transformation zone. On the left is the Endocervix, with the columnar epithelium,
and on the right is the Exocervix, with the nonkeratinized stratified squamous.

In this example of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, you can see the abnormal growth in the transformation zone, where the exocervix and the endocervix meet.

Adenocarcinoma

At high magnification, nests of neoplastic squamous cells are invaded through a chronically inflamed stroma. It is poorly-differentiated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma