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Explanation of some medical words

Adenocarcinoma – a rare form of cervical cancer (glandular).

Atrophic vaginitis – Thinning of the lining of the vagina due to decreased production of oestrogen. This may occur with menopause and can cause inflammation of the vagina.

Atypia – slight changes in the appearance of the cells of the cervix.

Biopsy of the cervix – removal of a small piece of the cervix for examination under a microscope.

Cells – microscopic building blocks of living organisms. The body is made up of millions of cells.

Cervix – the neck of the uterus (womb) located at the top of the vagina.

Colposcopy – the examination of the cervix and vagina with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope, to check for abnormalities.

Cytology – a branch of biology dealing with cells. Cells can be analysed under a microscope to find out what they look like, where they came from, and how they form and function.

Diathermy – the use of heat applied electrically to destroy abnormal cells or to stop bleeding.

Endocervical – inside the canal of the cervix.

Glandular cells - tall, column-like cells near the top of the endocervical canal. Apart from their appearance, glandular cells are different from squamous cells as they secrete mucus to protect the entrance to the uterus.

Glandular lesion - abnormality involving the glandular cells of the cervix.

Gynaecological oncologist - gynaecologist who has had special training and certification in caring for women with gynaecological cancers.

Gynaecologist - a specialist in women’s reproductive health.

Herpes - a viral infection transmitted through intimate contact with the moist mucous linings of the genitals and/or the mouth. The virus enters the mucous membranes through microscopic tears in the skin. It travels to the nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there permanently, causing outbreaks of blisters on the skin from time to time. Herpes is not related to cervical cancer.

HPV - human papilloma virus. A group of more than 100 different types of viruses, including over 30 that are sexually transmitted and can infect the genital area of men and women. Some of these viruses cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

HSIL - high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

In situ - confined to a certain area. In terms of cervical abnormalities, confined to the lining of the cervix.

Intraepithelial - within the layer of cells that form the surface or lining of a part of the body.

Intraepithelial lesion - abnormality confined to the surface layer of the cervix.

Lesion - abnormal appearing area.

LSIL - low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

Oncologist - a specialist in the study, management and treatment of cancer (oncology).

Screening - when a test is done on people without symptoms who are at risk of developing a certain disease. Screening tests predict the likelihood of someone having or developing a particular disease. The Pap smear is a screening procedure to look for changes that might lead to cancer of the cervix. It is up to 90 per cent accurate and is the best way to protect yourself from squamous cancer of the cervix.

Speculum - an instrument that looks like a duck bill on handles. It is used to hold open the vagina. It may be plastic and disposable or metal and re-useable.

Squamous cells - flat cells that look like scales or plates through a microscope. They make up the tissue that covers or lines the vagina and cervix.

Transformation zone - the area in the cervix where the squamous cells meet the glandular cells. The transformation zone is in the cervical canal.

Vagina - the canal extending from the cervix to the outside of the body.

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