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The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond the area of the body where it first started.
Knowing the extent of the cancer helps the doctors decide on the most appropriate treatment| for you.
Cervical cancer is divided into four main stages. Each stage then has further sub-divisions.
The cancer cells are only within the cervix. Stage 1 can be further divided into:
The cancer can only be seen with a microscope or colposcope.
The cancer is 3mm or less deep and 7mm or less wide.
The cancer is between 3–5mm deep and 7mm or less wide.
The cancer growth is larger but still confined to the cervix.
The cancer is not larger than 4cm.
The cancer is larger than 4cm.
The cancer has spread into surrounding structures, such as the upper part of the vagina or the tissues next to the cervix. Stage 2 can be further divided into:
The cancer has spread into the upper part of the vagina.
The tumour size is not larger than 4cm.
The tumour size is larger than 4cm.
The cancer has spread into the tissues next to the cervix.
The cancer has spread to areas such as the lower part of the vagina, or the tissues at the sides of the pelvic area. Stage 3 can be further divided into:
The cancer has spread into the lower part of the vagina.
The cancer has spread through to the tissues at the sides of the pelvic area and may be pressing on one of the ureters (the tubes urine passes through from the kidneys to the bladder). If the tumour is causing pressure on a ureter, there may be a build-up of urine in the kidney.
The cancer has spread to the bladder or bowel or beyond the pelvic area. Stage 4 can be further divided into:
The cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the bladder and bowel.
The cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the lungs, liver or bone.
Your doctors may use the following terms to describe your cancer:
If the cancer comes back after initial treatment, this is known as recurrent cancer.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.