The key difference between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix is that squamous cell carcinoma cervix begins in the thin, flat cells at the bottom of the cervix, while adenocarcinoma cervix begins in the column-shaped, glandular cells at the upper portion of the cervix.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer involving cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Moreover, various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause sexually transmitted infections play a pivotal role in most cervical cancer pathogenesis. There are two main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cervix
3. What is Adenocarcinoma Cervix
4. Similarities – Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma Cervix
5. Squamous Cell Carcinoma vs Adenocarcinoma Cervix in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Squamous Cell Carcinoma vs Adenocarcinoma Cervix
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cervix?
Squamous cell carcinoma cervix begins in the thin, flat cells lining the bottom of the cervix. Squamous cells are thin, flat, skin-like cells covering the outer surface of the cervix or ectocervix. It is estimated that 70 to 80 out of every 100 cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers. Normally, there is a tiny passage through the middle of the cervix leading to the cavity of the uterus. The squamous epithelium generally lines the cervix from this opening outwards. Moreover, the inside of the cervix has a more fragile epithelium line. Under normal circumstances, this line is not exposed to the environment. Certain circumstances like hormonal changes in the pregnancy and oral contraceptives can cause this inner lining from the insides of the cervix to move outwards. Later, it will be visible on the outside of the cervix. Doctors refer to this situation as erosion; most probably, the starting point of squamous cell carcinoma cervix.
Figure 01: Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cervix
The risk factors for this cancer include multiple sexual partners, sex with a partner having penile warts, intercourse without barrier contraceptives, and cigarette smoking. Squamous cell carcinoma cervix can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, PAP smear (cervical cytology), and imaging testing. Furthermore, treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma cervix may include techniques like needle and ball diathermy, surgery to remove the cervix, tubes, uterus, and ovaries with a small segment of the vagina, and radiotherapy.
What is Adenocarcinoma Cervix?
Adenocarcinoma cervix begins in the column-shaped, glandular cells lining the upper portion of the cervix. It is a type of cervical cancer that develops in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal. These cells are mucous-producing gland cells in the endocervix. The risk factors for adenocarcinoma cervix may include being overweight, having a number of births and abortions, giving birth at a young age, and starting intercourse at a young age.
Figure 02: Adenocarcinoma Cervix
Adenocarcinoma cervix can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, cervical cytology testing, imaging testing, and HPV DNA testing. Furthermore, treatment options for adenocarcinoma cervix include hysterectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
What are the Similarities Between Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma Cervix?
- Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix are two main types of cervical cancers.
- Both these types have similar symptoms: changes in vaginal bleeding or discharge, bleeding after sex, lower abdominal pain, and pain with sex.
- Both these types are more common in women over age 30.
- Both these types have a similar cause, which is the DNA mutation due to HPV infection.
- They are treated through specific surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
What is the Difference Between Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma Cervix?
Squamous cell carcinoma cervix begins in the thin, flat cells lining the bottom of the cervix, while adenocarcinoma cervix begins in the column-shaped, glandular cells lining the upper portion of the cervix. Thus, this is the key difference between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix. Furthermore, it is estimated that between 70 and 80 out of every 100 cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers and around 20 in every 100 cervical cancers are adenocarcinoma cervix.
The below infographic presents the differences between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Squamous Cell Carcinoma vs Adenocarcinoma Cervix
Cervical cancer occurs in the cell lining of the cervix. Squamous cell carcinoma cervix accounts for 70% of cervical cancer cases. Adenocarcinoma cervix is less common and accounts for 25% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma cervix begins in the thin, flat cells lining the bottom of the cervix. In contrast, adenocarcinoma cervix begins in the column-shaped, glandular cells lining the upper portion of the cervix. So, this summarizes the difference between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma cervix.
Reference:
1. “Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Variants.” Pathology Outlines.
2. “Invasive Cervical Adenocarcinoma.” UpToDate.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Squamous cell carcinoma cervix” By Department of Pathology, Calicut Medical College – Calicut Medical College, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cervix Adenocarcinoma in situ (1799756431)” By Ed Uthman from Houston, TX, USA – Cervix: Adenocarcinoma in site uploaded by CFCF (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia