Staging and grading womb cancer

Staging Back to top

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond the original area where it started. Knowing the extent of the cancer, and the grade, helps your specialist to decide on the most appropriate treatment for you.

Womb cancer is divided into four stages.

Stage 1 womb cancer is contained within the womb only. This stage is divided into three:

• Stage 1A The cancer is only in the inner lining (endometrium) of the womb.
• Stage 1B The cancer has grown into the muscle wall of the womb, but not more than half way.
• Stage 1C The cancer has grown more than half way into the muscle wall.

Stage 2 womb cancer has spread to the cervix. This stage is divided in two:

• Stage 2A The cancer has grown into the glands covering the cervix.
• Stage 2B The cancer has grown into the muscle of the cervix.

Stage 3 womb cancer is more advanced, but is contained within the pelvis. This stage is divided in three:

• Stage 3A The cancer has grown towards the ovaries or cancer cells have spread to the abdomen.
• Stage 3B The cancer has spread down into the vagina.
• Stage 3C The cancer has spread into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 4 means the cancer has spread beyond the womb into surrounding organs. This stage is divided in two:

• Stage 4A The cancer has spread to the bowel or bladder.
• Stage 4B The cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bone or the brain. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body this is secondary (or metastatic) womb cancer.

Recurrent endometrial cancer is when the cancer comes back some time after initial treatment.

Grading Back to top

Grading refers to the appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope. The grade gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may develop. There are three grades:

• grade 1 (low-grade)
• grade 2 (moderate-grade)
• grade 3 (high-grade).

Low-grade means that the cancer cells look very like the normal endometrial cells. They usually grow slowly and are less likely to spread. 

Moderate-grade means that the cells look more abnormal than low-grade cells.

High-grade means that cells look very abnormal. They are likely to grow more quickly and are more likely to spread.