Morphology Basis of Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix–the lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina and represents a global public health problem. For many years, we have known that the main cause of preinvasive lesions and cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV infection is most common in young, sexually active women under the age of 25, but cervical cancer is more common in older women. In developing countries, this prevalence is higher and describe most frequent clinical manifestations in the praxis. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze and describe morphology basis of cervical cancer. Methods: This is cross-sectional study based on meta-analysis of the facts published in scientific literature stored in indexed databases about morphology basis of the cervical cancer with description of clinical manifestations and its consequences describing morbidity and mortality rate in the population worldwide. Results and Discussion: The development of cervical cancer is associated with persistent infection with oncogenic types of HPV. The most common oncogenic types of HPV worldwide are HPV 16 and HPV 18 and are responsible for the development of more than 70% of all cervical cancers. HPV 16 has the greatest oncogenic potential. Due to oncogenic potential, human papilloma viruses are divided into high-risk, low-risk and undefined malignant potential. Low-risk types cause genital warts, while high-risk types are associated with preinvasive cervical lesions and cervical cancer. HPV infects basal cells of the squamous epithelium of the genital tract. Infection occurs at the site of microtrauma, areas of metaplasia, and through certain, little-known cellular receptors. Of the total infected, 1% develop a persistent infection, and in a small number of cases, one of the premalignant or malignant changes develops. For the occurrence of malignant changes, it is necessary that the infected organism has a decline in the body’s defenses, the existence or occurrence of other diseases and other viral infections, all with the cooperation of general risk factors (smoking, UV radiation, chemical agents) and with some risk behavior (promiscuity). Cervical intraepithelial (CIN) lesion is a premalignant change of the cervix that occurs due to chronic infection with high-risk types of HPV. Conclusion: It is very important in the future to connect the area of cervical cancer, HPV and DNA methylation, in order to better determine the changes that precede cervical cancer. Prevention and screening measures could also greatly reduce the incidence of HPV infection and the mortality rate caused by cervical cancer.