Cervix is a part of uterus at its lower end. It is conical in shape and some of its part protrudes in the vagina. There can be a malignant condition i.e abnormal growth of cells mostly in the epithelium of cervix that can be disseminating to other parts. That's why it is called cervical cancer. A pre cancerous condition called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia occurs first in the cervix, but if this condition left untreated then, it gets converted into more dangerous condition i.e cervical cancer. Symptoms and signs remain undiagnosed during the early cases. In most advanced cases, vaginal bleeding occurs. Most common cause for this type of cancer is HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV). The most recent classification for the cervical cancer is bethseda system in which all cervical epithelial precursors are divided into two types: High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and low-grade squamous intraepithelial tumours. Usually this cancer may metastasize to abdomen and lungs.

The first and the major cause of the cervical cancer is the HPV. This virus has two strains: HPV16 andHPV18. These two strains of virus cause the cervical cancer in 70% of the cases. The virus causes change in the cells of cervix and causes cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which can lead to cancer. This virus resides at the glans penis part of penis. During coitus, virus may get enter into the vagina and can cause disease. That's why circumcision can prevent this.

Hormonal contraception, DES (diethylstilbestrol), family factors, multiple pregnancies, HIV infection (due to lack of immune response) and Chlamydia infection (a bacteria) are other causes of this condition.