Cervical Cancer Stages
A cancer’s stage explains how large the primary tumor is and how far the cancer has spread in the patient’s body. Doctors use the information to understand the disease and develop a treatment plan.
There are several different staging systems. Many of these have been created for specific kinds of cancers. Others can be used to describe several types of cancer.
The stages of cervical cancer are set by FIGO, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. They range from stage I to stage IV. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced and generally harder to treat.
Cervical cancer stages
(Source: National Cancer Institute)
Stage I cervical Cancer
In stage I, cervical cancer has formed and is found in the cervix only. It is divided into stages IA and IB, based on the size of the tumor and the deepest point of tumor invasion.
Stage IA is subdivided based on the deepest point of tumor invasion.
Stage IA1: A very small amount of cancer that can only be seen with a microscope is found in the tissues of the cervix. The deepest point of tumor invasion is 3 millimeters or less.
Stage IA2: A very small amount of cancer that can only be seen with a microscope is found in the tissues of the cervix. The deepest point of tumor invasion is more than 3 millimeters but not more than 5 millimeters.
Stage IB is subdivided based on the size of the tumor and the deepest point of tumor invasion.
Stage IB1: The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and the deepest point of tumor invasion is more than 5 millimeters.
Stage IB2: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters.
Stage IB3: The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters.
Stage II cervical cancer
In stage II, cervical cancer has spread to the upper two-thirds of the vagina or to the tissue around the uterus.
Stage II is subdivided based on how far the cancer has spread.
Stage IIA: Cancer has spread from the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina but has not spread to the tissue around the uterus. Stage IIA is further divided based on the size of the tumor:
Stage IIA1: The tumor is 4 centimeters or smaller.
Stage IIA2: The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters.
Stage IIB: Cancer has spread from the cervix to the tissue around the uterus.
Stage III cervical cancer
In stage III, cervical cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina and/or to the pelvic wall, and/or has caused kidney problems, and/or involves lymph nodes.
Stage III is subdivided based on how far the cancer has spread.
Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina but has not spread to the pelvic wall.
Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall; and/or the tumor has become large enough to block one or both ureters or has caused one or both kidneys to get bigger or stop working.
Stage IIIC: Stage IIIC is divided into stages IIIC1 and IIIC2, based on the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.
Stage IV cervical cancer
In stage IV, cervical cancer has spread beyond the pelvis, or has spread to the lining of the bladder or rectum, or has spread to other parts of the body.
Stage IV is subdivided into stages IVA and IVB, based on where the cancer has spread.
Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to nearby pelvic organs, such as the bladder or rectum.
Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, bones, or distant lymph nodes.