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Table of Contents
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Cervical Cancer Guide
Cervical canceris cancer that starts in the cervix. Thecervixis a small, hollow tube that connects theuterusto thevagina. Cervical cancer is less common in the United States than it once was. Around 0.6% of people assigned female at birth will get cervical cancer during their lifetime.Of course, that’s small comfort for anyone with this diagnosis.
People are oftendiagnosedwith this condition after an abnormalPap smearindicates cancerous changes in the cervix.Precancerous cells in the cervix (carcinoma in situ) are sometimes referred to as stage 0. Stage 0 is not technically cervical cancer, but it is a serious precancer that requires treatment so it won’t become cancer.
If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, your doctor will run tests to determine what stage the cancer is in. This helps determine the best treatments for you, and your potential prognosis.
When diagnosed early, the cervical cancer survival rate is high.This article will discuss treatments, symptoms, and prognosis for each cervical cancer stage.
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Stage 1 is localized cancer that has not spread outside of the cervix intolymph nodesor other organs. In this stage, the cancer cells have grown and spread from the surface of the cervix into deeper tissues within the cervix.
People with stage 1 cervical cancer usually have nosymptoms.Once diagnosed, stage 1 cervical cancer is highly treatable, and has a good prognosis. The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer at this stage is around 92%.
Stage 1 is further classified into stage 1A and stage 1B.
Stage 1A
Stage 1A cancer may be indicated as:
At this stage, localized cancer is usually treated with acone biopsy (conization)in people who wish to preserve fertility. During this outpatient surgical procedure, a cone-shaped portion of tissue will be removed from the cervix.
If the tissue at the edges of the cone is free from cancer cells, no additional treatment will be needed. You will, however, be watched closely for any potential return of cancer.
Cancer that has spread into the blood or lymph vessels will require removal of the pelvic lymph nodes and, in some instances, a radical trachelectomy.Radical trachelectomy is the removal of most of the cervix, plus the upper vagina. Your uterus will be left intact. Neither of these procedures affects fertility potential.
If you’re sure you don’t wish to pursue pregnancy in the future, a simplehysterectomymay be done instead. In a simple hysterectomy, only the uterus and cervix are removed. Simple hysterectomy is only recommended if the cancer hasn’t spread into the blood or lymph vessels.
If spread has occurred, a radical hysterectomy (uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and supporting tissues are removed) coupled with the removal of the pelvic lymph nodes may be recommended.
Stage 1B
Stage 1B cervical cancer may be indicated as:
During Stage 1B, your desire to retain fertility potential is taken into account. If you wish to remain fertile, treatment typically consists of a radical trachelectomy, plus surgery to remove lymph nodes from the pelvis (pelvic lymph node dissection).
In some instances, removal of the para-aortic lymph nodes may also be recommended. Para-aortic lymph nodes are located near the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
If maintaining fertility is not a concern, your doctor may recommend radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymph node removal.
If you don’t want surgery, or aren’t strong or healthy enough for it, chemotherapy plus radiation may be used as an alternative treatment.
Stage 2 cervical cancer is cancer that has spread outside the cervix and uterus. Stage 2 cervical cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes, pelvic walls, or lower part of the vagina. It has also not spread to distant organs or areas of your body.
Stage 2 cervical cancer is further categorized as:
Stage 2 symptoms may include:
Stage 2 cervical cancer is treatable and curable. The relative five-year survival rate for stage 2 cervical cancer is around 61%.
Stage 2A
Chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with radiation treatment.This is referred to as chemoradiation. In some instances, your doctor may instead recommend radiation, with or without chemotherapy, instead of surgery.
Stage 2B
Stage 2B is cervical cancer that has spread outside of the cervix into the surrounding pelvic tissues, such as the top of the vagina, bladder, or rectum. This stage is referred to as locally advanced cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer at this stage is usually treated with chemoradiation (chemotherapy and radiation treatment combined). External beam radiation and brachytherapy may both be used.
Stage 3 cervical cancer is further categorized into these groups:
If you have stage 3 cervical cancer, the tumor or tumors may be large enough to block the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder (ureters). This condition is calledhydronephrosis.
Symptoms of stage 3 cervical cancer include:
Since spread has occurred, the prognosis for stage 3 cervical cancer is lower than that for stages 1 and 2. Stage 3A has an approximate five-year survival rate of 35%. Stage 3B is slightly lower, at 32%.
It’s important to remember that relative five-year survival rates are estimates, not prophecies. Many people live far longer than the numbers indicate. These estimates are also based on the experiences of people who had this condition at least five years ago. They don’t take newer treatments or data from recent clinical trials into account.
Stage 3A
In this stage, the cancer has spread into the lower third of the vagina. It has not spread into the walls of the pelvis.
Stage 3A cervical cancer is treated with chemoradiation. The radiation used will be a combination of external beam radiation plus brachytherapy.
Stage 3B
In this stage, the cancer has spread into the pelvic wall.
The tumor or tumors may also be large enough to cause problems with the kidneys, including hydronephrosis. Stage3B cervical cancer may have tumors that block one or both ureter tubes.
Stage 3B cervical cancer is treated with chemoradiation.
Stage 3C
Stage 3C is cervical cancer of any size within the pelvis. It has not spread to distant areas of the body or into other internal organs. Stage 3C cancer that has spread into the lymph nodes is further categorized into stage 3C1 and stage 3C2.
Stage 3C cervical cancer is typically treated with chemoradiation.
Stage 4 cervical cancer is further categorized as:
Stage 4 symptoms can include:
The five-year relative survival rate for stage 4 cervical cancer is around 17%.As with any cancer, it’s important to remember that these numbers are estimates. Many people live and thrive for significantly longer periods of time.
Stage 4A
Chemoradiation is the main treatment for cancer at this stage. Radiation therapy will be both external beam radiation, and brachytherapy.
Stage 4B
Cancer at this stage is not usually considered curable.Treatments that may be tried include radiation, with or without chemotherapy. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may also be used.
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets the proteins in and on cancer cells that control how they grow, spread, and divide. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that supports your immune system to better fight cancer.
In some instances, you may wish your treatment at this time to center on palliative care. Palliative care refers to treatments that make you feel comfortable and pain free while you’re living with your disease.
Palliative care treatments include symptom reduction and control. For late-stage cervical cancer, radiation can be used to slow cancer growth, reduce pain, and eliminate bleeding.
Living With Cervical Cancer
Some people diagnosed with cervical cancer will get a clean bill of health after treatment ends. Others will continue to have cancer for the rest of their lives. Either way, you’ll need to be vigilant about checkups and tests that your doctor recommends.
You’ll also need to keep an eye on any new symptoms you notice. Communicating with your oncologist and other members of your medical team can help ensure that you receive swift treatment as needed.
Cervical cancer treatments come with side effects. Based on the treatments you had, these can include nausea, fatigue, and increased bruising. You may go into earlymenopauseor have irregular menstruation.
Communicating with your medical team about side effects can provide information and, in some instances, treatments that will ease your symptoms.
Currently, there isn’t a large body of research linking healthy habits to a reduction in cervical cancer recurrence.What is known is that smoking can play a role in increasing cervical cancer risk. If you smoke, this is a very good time to stop.
Proactiveself-care that includes healthy eating and physical movementmay not be a cure-all, but it can boost your mood and help you feel stronger. Anything that supports your ability to manage stress should be included in your self-care plan. This can be anything from practicing yoga with friends, to reading an absorbing whodunnit.
Some people isolate in times of trouble. If that sounds a lot like you, consider trying something new. Cancer support groups, both in person and online, can provide access to people who understand what you’re going through, and can offer powerful support.
The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Networkis a good place to start. If that doesn’t feel like a fit, reach out to a friend or family member often just to chat, or even to vent.
Summary
When caught early, this cancer has avery high cure rate. Cervical cancer can be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments. People with stage 1 cancer can have treatments that won’t harm their fertility.
A Word From Verywell
Living with cervical cancer can be stressful, scary, and worrisome. Not only are you dealing with how you feel today, you may also be thinking about tomorrow. Even if this time of your life feels out of control, remember that there are things you can and should control.
These include keeping doctor’s appointments and staying educated about your condition. It also includes taking care of yourself in a loving way. No matter what stage your cancer was diagnosed in, there is always room for hope, life’s simplest pleasures, and joy.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWith proper treatment, cervical cancer is potentially curable from stages 1 through 4A. Stage 4B is considered incurable. However, a percentage of people live for many years, even at this stage.Cervical cancer develops slowly. It can take years before it progresses from one stage to the next. That’s why regular checkups and testing, such as Pap smears, are so important.Yes. With proper treatment, stage 3 cervical cancer is treatable and curable for many people.
With proper treatment, cervical cancer is potentially curable from stages 1 through 4A. Stage 4B is considered incurable. However, a percentage of people live for many years, even at this stage.
Cervical cancer develops slowly. It can take years before it progresses from one stage to the next. That’s why regular checkups and testing, such as Pap smears, are so important.
Yes. With proper treatment, stage 3 cervical cancer is treatable and curable for many people.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: cervical cancer.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Cervical cancer diagnosis.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Cervical cancer: stages.
American Cancer Society.Cervical cancer stages.
Moffit Cancer Center.How treatable is cervical cancer?
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for cervical cancer.
Cancer Research UK.Surgery to remove the cervix (radical trachelectomy).
The University of Kansas Cancer Center.Understanding the stages of cervical cancer.
Cancer Research UK.Stage 3.
Canadian Cancer Society.Treatments for stage 4 cervical cancer.
Moffitt Cancer Center.How do I manage the side effects of cervical cancer treatment?
American Cancer Society.Living as a cervical cancer survivor.
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