Gynecologic Oncology Program

Cervical Cancer

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Symptoms and Diagnosis

There are usually no symptoms associated with cancer of the cervix, so routine screening tests to look for changes in the cervical cells are very important.

A woman who experiences symptoms such as unusual discharge, bleeding other than her normal period, or bleeding or pain during intercourse should consult with a doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms may be indications of an infection or another problem, but they are also sometimes associated with cervical cancer that has progressed beyond the early stages.

The Pap test is the most common test used to screen for precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. A doctor performs the test by using a brush and a small plastic stick to gently scrape the outside of the cervix in order to pick up cells. The patient may feel pressure but does not usually feel pain. The cells are then sent to a lab for analysis.

If the Pap test shows cells that are not normal, the doctor may want to examine the cervix by looking through an instrument called a colposcope. He or she may also want to cut a sample of tissue from the cervix and look at it under a microscope to see if it contains any cancer cells. This procedure is called a biopsy.

If the doctor needs only a small amount of tissue, the biopsy may be done in the doctor's office. If he or she needs a larger, cone-shaped biopsy specimen, the patient may need to go to a hospital for the procedure (called a conization).

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and choice of treatment for cervical cancer depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the cervix or has spread to other places) and the patient's general health.


This page was last updated on: March 3, 2008.