Carcinoma of the Cervix: NEET PG High-Yield Summary
Exam-essential patterns for oncology and gynecology.
1. Etiology & Risk Factors
- Primary Cause: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- High-Risk HPV Types: 16 and 18 are responsible for the majority of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
- Co-factors: Early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, smoking, and immunocompromised status (e.g., HIV).
2. High-Yield NEET PG Exam Pearls
| Concept | High-Yield Point |
|---|---|
| Screening | Pap Smear (Cytology) is the gold standard for screening. HPV DNA testing is increasingly used as primary screening. |
| Clinical Sign | Post-coital bleeding (contact bleeding) is the most common early symptom. |
| Histology | Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the most common histological type. |
3. Exam Strategy & Staging
- Staging: The FIGO staging system for cervical cancer was updated to allow for imaging and pathology findings, making it a more clinical/surgical in approach.
- Prevention: HPV vaccination (bivalent/quadrivalent/nonavalent) is the most effective primary prevention method.
- Diagnosis: Colposcopy-directed biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis following an abnormal Pap smear.
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