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.
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This helps determine the best treatments for you, and your potential 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 1 cervical cancer treatments vary, based on your desire to maintain fertility.
During this outpatient surgical procedure, a cone-shaped portion of tissue will be removed from the cervix.
You will, however, be watched closely for any potential return of cancer.
Your uterus will be left intact.
Neither of these procedures affects fertility potential.
If youre sure you dont 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 hasnt spread into the blood or lymph vessels.
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.
Brachytherapy may be added to your treatment protocol following chemo and radiation.
Stage 1B3 may be treated by chemoradiation first, followed by a hysterectomy.
Stage 2
Stage 2 cervical cancer is cancer that has spread outside the cervix and uterus.
It has also not spread to distant organs or areas of your body.
The relative five-year survival rate for stage 2 cervical cancer is around 61%.
If the cancer has reached the lymph nodes or nearby tissues, radiation may be recommended after surgery.
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 2A2 may be treated by chemotherapy and radiation first, followed by hysterectomy.
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.
It may or may not have spread into nearby lymph nodes.
It has not spread to distant organs or areas of the body.
This condition is calledhydronephrosis.
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 dont 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
Stage 4 is the most advanced cervical cancer stage.
Recurrent cervical cancer is typically included in this stage.
Stage 4 cervical cancer may spread to nearby organs such as the bladder or rectum.
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.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may also be used.
Immunotherapy is a key in 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 youre living with your disease.
Palliative care treatments include symptom reduction and control.
Others will continue to have cancer for the rest of their lives.
Either way, youll need to be vigilant about checkups and tests that your doctor recommends.
Youll also need to keep an eye on any new symptoms you notice.
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.
If you smoke, this is a very good time to stop.
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.
The American Cancer Societys Cancer Survivors Networkis a good place to start.
Summary
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix.
The cervix is a hollow organ that connects the uterus to the vagina.
Cervical cancer is graded by stages from 1 to 4.
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 wont 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.
These include keeping doctors appointments and staying educated about your condition.
It also includes taking care of yourself in a loving way.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
With proper treatment, stage 3 cervical cancer is treatable and curable for many people.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Cervical cancer diagnosis.
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American Cancer Society.Cervical cancer stages.
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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).
American Cancer Society,Treatment options for cervical cancer, by stage.
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.
