What are the various stages of cervical cancer?

Stages of cervical cancer

If cancerous cells are detected in a biopsy, the next step involves grading the stage of cancer to determine the size and spread of cancer cells. Cervical cancer can spread to the bowel, bladder, as well to distant areas, such as the lungs and bones.

Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) - cervical cancer that is localized to the surface of the cervix and has not spread to deeper cervical tissue layers.

Stage 1 - cervical cancer that still is localized to the cervix but has penetrated deeper layers of the cervix.

Stage 2 - cancer has begun to spread outside the cervix but not to the pelvic wall.

Stage 3 - cancer has begun to spread to the pelvic wall or has spread to the kidneys or urinary tract.

Stage 4 - advanced stage cancer that has begun to spread outside the pelvis. Cancer may involve the bladder, rectum, or distant areas including the bones or lungs.