Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. Advanced-stage or metastatic cervical cancer usually means stage 4B. The cancer can only be seen with a microscope or colposcope. In some cases, it's possible to leave the womb in place, but it may need to be removed. The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious, and it may not cause any at all until it's reached an advanced stage. If you do have symptoms, the most common is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which can occur during or after sex, in between periods, or new bleeding … Treatment also depends on: For stage 4 cervical cancer you might have treatment with: You might have a combination of these treatments. This is a big operation and isn’t suitable for everyone. Cervical cancer happens when the cells of your cervix change. But some types can cause abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix, which can eventually lead to cervical cancer. You can opt-out of these cookies. This staging system is more often used by cancer registries than by doctors. It helps your doctor decide which treatment you need. The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is by attending cervical screening (previously known as a "smear test") when invited. Cervical cancer is divided into four main stages. It also hasn’t grown into tissues next to the cervix and uterus (called the parametria). Doctors use the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for cervical cancer. In stages IIA1 and IIA2, cancer has spread from the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina but has not spread to the tissue around the uterus. Another staging system that is used for all types of cancer groups the cancer into one of five main categories. Staging is a standard way of categorizing cancers that is used to determine prognosis and treatment. Cervical cancer stage 3 is not the most serious stage of the disease. Stages of Cervical Cancer. The main treatments are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. The cancer is 3mm or less deep. Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Stage IV: The cervical cancer has spread beyond the pelvis. Stage 3 cervical cancer spread into the pelvic area and lower part of the vagina. As HPV has no pre sign & symptoms, WHO recommends that cervical vaccine should administer to a girl between 9 and 26 years of age. It can be divided into stage 4A and stage 4B. Stage 2A1– The tumour is less than 4 cm at its widest part. FIGO stages for cervical cancer. IB Cancer is visible to the naked eye during an exam. There is a maximum amount of radiotherapy normal body tissues can take. Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) 2. There are four stages of cervical cancer. Stage 1A. We would also like to set optional cookies (analytical, functional and YouTube) to enhance and improve our service. Cervical cancer accounts for less than 1% of all new cancer cases in females and males combined in the UK (2017). The stage at which cervical cancer is diagnosed is an important factor in determining a woman's outlook. It mainly affects sexually active women aged between 30 and 45. If cervical cancer is detected, it will be staged, from stage 0, which means abnormal cells are found only in the surface layer of cells lining the cervix to stage IV, which means the cancer has spread to nearby organs such as the bladder or rectum or possibly other organs. The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. When cervical cancer is not curable, it's often possible to slow its progression, prolong lifespan and relieve any associated symptoms, such as pain and vaginal bleeding. The only way to know if there are abnormal cells in the cervix, which may develop into cervical cancer, is to have a cervical screening test. The staging for cervical cancer is as follows: Stage I: The cancer is still limited to the cervix IA A microscopic cancer is limited to the cervix and only seen on biopsy. Locally advanced cervical cancer usually includes stages 1B2 to 4A. There are also different types of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina). This is why it's very important to you attend all your cervical screening appointments. Staging. http://www.nucleushealth.com/ - This 3D medical animation begins with a detailed explanation of the criteria doctors use to stage cervical cancer. It is not based on what is found during surgery. In stage IIA1, the cancer is 4 centimeters or smaller. Treatment for cervical cancer. Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages. The tumour is in the cervix and can only be seen with a microscope. Learn more about cervical cancer. Doctors assign the stage of the cancer by evaluating the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Abnormal bleeding does not mean you have cervical cancer, but you should see a GP as soon as possible to get it checked out. Stage II. Cervical cancer is a cancer that arises in the cervix of the uterus (womb); In the early stages of cervical cancer, it may not cause symptoms.As the cancer progresses, the most common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include:. Cervical cancer stages are identified through additional testing that is performed after a diagnosis is confirmed. A smear test aims to find changes (abnormalities) to cells in the cervix at an early stage, before they develop into cervical cancer. For example, the sub-stages of Stage I cancer are IA1, IA2, IB1, and IB2. Stage 1 . Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us, Find out more about advanced cervical cancer and its treatment, Read about surgery for advanced cervical cancer, Chemotherapy for advanced cervical cancer, Read about bevacizumab for advanced cervical cancer, your type of cancer (the type of cells the cancer started in). Stages of cervical cancer. Menu The stage at which cervical cancer is diagnosed is an important factor in determining a woman's outlook. There are more than 100 types of HPV, many of which are harmless. Once cancer has been diagnosed, additional tests may be performed to determine whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Early stage cervical cancer usually includes stages 1A, 1B and 2A. But these infections are very common and most women who have them do not develop cervical cancer. Or in another part of the body (secondary or metastatic cancer). Stage I 3. The operation might mean removing your womb and cervix (hysterectomy), the nearby lymph nodes and any part of the bladder or bowel that might be affected. You should be sent a letter confirming when it's time for your screening appointment. It mainly affects sexually active women aged between 30 and 45. If you have symptoms, the most common is unusual vaginal bleeding. Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Symptoms of cervical cancer. These are average survival rates and do not apply to everyone. Advanced-stage or metastatic cervical cancer – this usually means stage 4B. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015, Cervical cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer that occurs in women. It helps your doctor decide which treatment you need. The chances of living for at least five years after being diagnosed with cervical cancer are: stage 1 – 80-99%; stage 2 – 60-90%; stage 3 – 30-50% Stage 4 means the cancer has spread to parts of the body outside the cervix and womb. More advanced cases of cervical cancer are usually treated using a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer becomes larger and grows … In the early stages of HPV infection, there are no symptoms, but as the cancer progresses the most common signs and symptoms are an increase in vaginal discharge, painful sex, and postmenopausal bleeding. Learning the stage of the cancer helps plan treatment options. You also have a boost of internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) at the end of your course. You usually have treatment with a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) for stage 4A cervical cancer. Radiotherapy is another option for some women with early-stage cervical cancer. 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