Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri is a malignant tumor arising from the squamous epithelial cells lining the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is the most common histological subtype of cervical cancer, accounting for approximately 70-80% of all cervical carcinoma cases. The disease is strongly associated with persistent infection by high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 16 and 18. Risk factors include early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, immunosuppression, smoking, and lack of cervical screening. The disease primarily affects the female reproductive system but can spread locally to the vagina, parametrium, pelvic sidewall, bladder, and rectum, and may metastasize to distant organs including the lungs, liver, and bones. Key symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding (particularly postcoital bleeding), unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and in advanced stages, symptoms related to involvement of adjacent organs such as urinary or bowel dysfunction. Early-stage disease is often asymptomatic and detected through routine cervical screening (Pap smear or HPV testing). Treatment depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage disease may be managed with surgery, including cone biopsy, simple or radical hysterectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection. Locally advanced disease is typically treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy, using cisplatin-based chemotherapy alongside external beam radiation and brachytherapy. Advanced or recurrent disease may be treated with systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapies such as bevacizumab, and immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab. Prevention strategies include HPV vaccination and regular cervical screening programs, which have significantly reduced the incidence and mortality of this disease in countries with established screening infrastructure.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

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