Cervical cancer is divided into stages to help doctors understand how far the cancer has spread and to guide treatment decisions. The stages are determined based on several factors, including the size of the tumor, whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, and if it has metastasized (spread) to distant parts of the body.

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): At this early stage, cancer cells are found only in the surface layer of the cervix and have not invaded deeper tissues. It is often called "pre-cancer" because it hasn't spread beyond the surface.

Stage I: Cancer is confined to the cervix and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Stage I is further divided into:

Stage IA: Cancer is microscopic and can only be seen under a microscope.
Stage IB: Cancer is visible without a microscope and may be larger than 4 centimeters (cm).

Stage II: Cancer has spread beyond the cervix but is still within the pelvic area. Stage II is further divided into:
Stage IIA: Cancer has spread to the upper two-thirds of the vagina but not to the walls of the pelvis.
Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to the tissues around the cervix but not to the pelvic wall or the lower part of the vagina.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or the walls of the pelvis, and may also affect nearby lymph nodes. Stage III is further divided into:
Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina but not to the walls of the pelvis.
Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall or causes kidney problems.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to nearby organs outside the pelvic area or to distant parts of the body. Stage IV is further divided into:
Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the bladder or rectum.
Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones.

Determining the stage of cervical cancer usually involves a combination of physical examination, imaging tests (such as CT scans or MRIs), and sometimes, surgical procedures to remove lymph nodes for examination. Understanding the stage of cervical cancer helps doctors plan the most appropriate treatment approach for each individual patient.

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When doctors talk about “stages” of cervical cancer, they’re really just trying to answer two questions: how big is it, and where has it reached. In the very early stages it’s still tiny and limited to the cervix. As the stage number goes up, it may grow deeper into the cervix, then into nearby areas like the upper vagina or tissues at the side of the pelvis. In more advanced stages it can involve organs close by, like the bladder or rectum, or spread to distant places such as lungs or liver.

To figure this out, the team usually combines a pelvic exam, colposcopy, biopsy reports, and scans like MRI or CT to check lymph nodes and other organs. A good doctor will then translate the “stage” into plain language about what it means for treatment and outlook.