Coloured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan through the pelvis of a 55 year old female patient with cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb). This is a carcinoma, a malignant (cancerous) tumour (purple) that arises from epithelial tissue. The primary cause of cervical cancer is human papilliomavirus, a common sexually transmitted infection. Symptoms of cervical cancer include bleeding in-between periods, pain after sexual intercourse and heavier periods. Cervical cancer can be treated with surgery if detected early.