Cervical Cancer Stages Overview

Overview

This lecture explains the clinical staging system for cervical cancer, focusing on how tumor size and spread determine each stage.

Staging assesses tumor size and spread to nearby tissues or distant organs.
Stage 0: Cancer cells are in only the surface layer of the cervix; not invasive.
Stage 1a: Invasive cancer; tumor is 3–5 mm deep, up to 7 mm wide, penetrates into cervical tissue.
Stage 1b: Tumor deeper than 5 mm and wider than 7 mm; may be visible under a microscope or to the naked eye if >4 cm.
Stage 2a: Tumor visible and >4 cm; extends beyond cervix but not into surrounding uterine tissues.
Stage 2b: Cancer spreads to tissues near the uterus but not beyond.
Stage 3a: Tumor spreads to tissues around the uterus.
Stage 3b: Cancer reaches the lower third of the vagina and may spread to the pelvic wall or ureters, risking kidney function.
Stage 4a: Tumor invades local pelvic organs (e.g., bladder, rectum); may affect nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4b: Cancer spreads beyond pelvic lymph nodes to distant organs like the liver, intestines, or lungs.

Staging — Process of determining the extent of cancer in the body.
Invasive cancer — Cancer that grows beyond the surface layer into deeper tissues.
Pelvic wall — The lining of the abdominal cavity between the hips.
Ureters — Tubes that carry urine from kidneys to the bladder.
Lymph nodes — Small glands that filter lymph and are part of the immune system.