Cancer Cells
Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make
up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.
Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as
the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or
get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells
form when the body does not need them, and old or
damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup
of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a
growth or tumor.
Growths on the cervix can be benign or malignant.
Benign growths are not cancer. They are not as harmful
as malignant growths (cancer).
- Benign growths (polyps, cysts, or genital warts):
- are rarely a threat to life
- don't invade the tissues around them
- Malignant growths (cervical cancer):
- may sometimes be a threat to life
- can invade nearby tissues and organs
- can spread to other parts of the body
Cervical cancer begins in cells on the surface of the
cervix. Over time, the cervical cancer can invade more
deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues. The cancer
cells can spread by breaking away from the original
(primary) tumor. They enter blood vessels or lymph
vessels, which branch into all the tissues of the body.
The cancer cells may attach to other tissues and grow
to form new tumors that may damage those tissues.
The spread of cancer is called metastasis. See the
Staging section for information about
cervical cancer that has spread.
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