The short answer
Up to 9 in 10 cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and most of the rest are adenocarcinomas. Both are linked to HPV, and ACS notes adenocarcinoma can be harder to detect with screening.
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for up to 9 in 10 cervical cancers.
Adenocarcinoma makes up most of the remaining cases.
Adenosquamous and other rare types make up a small share of cases.
Both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are linked to HPV infection.
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This page is for anyone who wants to understand the different types of cervical cancer. It explains the main and rarer types, and what the type means for screening and treatment.
The simple version
Most cervical cancer is one of two types. Both are linked to HPV infection. But they start in different cells, and they can behave differently.
The two main types
- Squamous cell carcinoma. Accounts for up to 9 in 10 cervical cancers. It starts in thin, flat cells called squamous cells. These cover the outer part of the cervix, the area closest to the vagina.
- Adenocarcinoma. Makes up most of the remaining cervical cancers. It starts in gland cells that produce mucus. These sit higher up in the cervical canal, closer to the uterus.
Rarer types
Adenosquamous carcinoma is also called mixed carcinoma. It has features of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. It is uncommon. A rare form of adenocarcinoma, called clear cell adenocarcinoma, is uncommon too. Cancers such as melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma can start in the cervix on rare occasions. But they are far more common elsewhere in the body, so they are not typical cervical cancers.
In short: squamous cell carcinoma accounts for up to 9 in 10 cases. Adenocarcinoma makes up most of the rest.
What both types share
NCI says long-lasting HPV infection, from the human papillomavirus, causes almost all cervical cancers. Before cancer develops, the cervix can go through abnormal cell changes called dysplasia. Screening is meant to find these changes early so they can be treated.
Why the type matters for testing
Adenocarcinoma starts in gland cells higher in the cervical canal. ACS notes that adenocarcinomas present detection challenges for screening. The Pap test looks for precancerous cell changes. The HPV test looks for high-risk HPV types linked to cervical precancers and cancers.
What this means for screening and follow-up
If you have had an abnormal Pap or HPV test, ask which test was used and what the result means for next steps. Report unusual vaginal bleeding to your care team.
NCI says treatment planning depends on the stage, meaning how large the tumor is and whether it has spread. Ask your team whether your cancer type changes anything about your plan.
What to ask your team
- Is my cervical cancer squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma?
- Does my type change which screening or follow-up tests make sense going forward?
- How does my type affect my treatment plan?
- What did my biopsy show about HPV status?
Sources
Common questions
What is the most common type of cervical cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type, accounting for up to 9 in 10 cervical cancers. It starts in the thin, flat cells covering the outer part of the cervix.
What is cervical adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma starts in the gland cells of the cervix, which produce mucus. It makes up most of the cervical cancers that are not squamous cell carcinoma.
Why is adenocarcinoma sometimes found later than squamous cell carcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma starts in gland cells higher in the cervical canal. ACS notes that adenocarcinomas can be harder to detect with screening. The HPV test, which looks for high-risk HPV, is part of screening alongside the Pap test.
Are all cervical cancers linked to HPV?
NCI says long-lasting HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancers. Ask your team what your biopsy showed about HPV.
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Last updated: 2026-08-18Next planned review: 2027-08-03
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Source checked — This page was written with AI assistance and then compared with the sources listed on it, looking for statements those sources do not back up. That check is not a sentence-by-sentence record and can miss errors. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
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