Causes of Cervical Cancer

List of causes of Cervical Cancer

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Cervical Cancer) that could possibly cause Cervical Cancer includes:

• Human Papillomavirus
• DES exposure

More causes: see full list of causes for Cervical cancer

Causes of Cervical Cancer: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Cervical Cancer.

Introduction: Malignant Neoplasms: What causes cancer?
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division.

These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes.

In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.

High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include:

❑alkylating agents — leukemia

❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer

❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung

❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder

❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver.

Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors.

The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development.

Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include:

❑early onset of malignant disease

❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma])

❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs

❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells.

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Cervical cancer: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Although the cause is unknown, several predisposing factors have been related to the development of cervical cancer: frequent intercourse at a young age (younger than age 16), multiple sexual partners, multiple pregnancies, exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (particularly genital human papillomavirus), and smoking.

In almost all cases of cervical cancer (95%), the histologic type is squamous cell cancer, which varies from well-differentiated cells to highly anaplastic spindle cells. Only 5% are adenocarcinomas. Usually, invasive cancer occurs between ages 30 and 50; rarely, in patients younger than age 20.

In 2000, 12,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and there were 4,600 deaths from this disease.

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Malignant spinal neoplasms: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Primary tumors of the spinal cord may be extramedullary (occurring outside the spinal cord) or intramedullary (occurring within the cord itself). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural (meningiomas and schwannomas), which account for 60% of all primary malignant spinal cord neoplasms, or extradural (metastatic tumors from breasts, lungs, prostate, leukemia, or lymphomas), which account for 25% of these malignant neoplasms.

Intramedullary tumors, or gliomas (astrocytomas or ependymomas), are comparatively rare, accounting for only about 10%. In children, they're low-grade astrocytomas.

Spinal cord tumors are rare compared with intracranial tumors (ratio of 1:4). They occur equally in men and women, with the exception of meningiomas, which occur mostly in women. Spinal cord tumors can occur anywhere along the length of the cord or its roots.

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Acceleration-deceleration cervical injuries: Causes
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Whiplash commonly results from rear-end automobile accidents. A seat belt keeps a person’s body from being thrown forward, but the head may snap forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury to the neck. Other causes include roller coasters or other amusement park rides, sports injuries, or punches or shoves.

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Uterine cancer: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Uterine cancer seems linked to several predisposing factors:

❑abnormal uterine bleeding

❑diabetes

❑familial tendency

❑history of uterine polyps or endometrial hyperplasia

❑hypertension

❑low fertility index and anovulation

❑nulliparity

❑obesity

❑uninterrupted estrogen stimulation.

In most cases, uterine cancer is an adenocarcinoma that metastasizes late, usually from the endometrium to the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other peritoneal structures. It may spread to distant organs, such as the lungs and the brain, through the blood or the lymphatic system. Lymph node involvement can also occur. Less common are adenoacanthoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mixed mesodermal tumors (including carcinosarcoma), and leiomyosarcoma.

Uterine cancer usually affects postmenopausal women between ages 50 and 60; it's uncommon between ages 30 and 40 and extremely rare before age 30. Most premenopausal women who develop uterine cancer have a history of anovulatory menstrual cycles or other hormonal imbalance. About 37,000 new cases of uterine cancer are reported annually, with approximately 6,400 deaths predicted for 1999.

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Cervical cancer: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is accepted as the cause of virtually all cervical dysplasias and cervical cancers. Certain strains of the HPV (16, 18, 31) are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. Several predisposing factors have been related to the development of cervical cancer: intercourse at a young age (younger than age 16), multiple sexual partners, and herpesvirus 2 and other bacterial or viral venereal infections.

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Uterine cancer: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Uterine cancer seems linked to several predisposing factors:

❑  low fertility index and anovulation

❑  abnormal uterine bleeding

❑  obesity, hypertension, or diabetes

❑  familial tendency

❑  history of atypical endometrial hyperplasia

❑  estrogen therapy (still controversial).

Generally, uterine cancer is an adenocarcinoma that metastasizes late, usually from the endometrium to the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other peritoneal structures. It may spread to distant organs, such as the lungs and the brain, through the blood or the lymphatic system. Lymph node involvement can also occur. Less common uterine tumors include adenoacanthoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mixed mesodermal tumors (including carcinosar- coma), and leiomyosarcoma.

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Cervical Cancer as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Cervical Cancer as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Cervical Cancer. Our database lists the following as having Cervical Cancer as a complication of that condition:

• Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
• Genital warts
• HIV/AIDS
• Human Papillomavirus
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Smoking

Cervical Cancer as a symptom:

Conditions listing Cervical Cancer as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Cervical Cancer. Our database lists the following as having Cervical Cancer as a symptom of that condition:

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections
• HIV/AIDS
• Sarcoma botryoides

Medical news summaries relating to Cervical Cancer:

The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Cervical Cancer:

• 17 substances added to America’s list of carcinogens
• Cervical cancer risk roughly doubled with passive smoking
• Cervical cancer screening recommendations detailed
• Diabetes and sugar level linked to risk of cancer death
• Genital wart vaccine on the way
• Passive smoking during childhood increases risk of adult lung cancer
• Vaccine for cervical cancer
• Vaccine to prevent cervical cancer
• Virus cures cancer

Related information on causes of Cervical Cancer:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Cervical Cancer may be found in:

• Risk factors for Cervical Cancer
• Hidden causes of Cervical Cancer