Stages of Cervical Cancer

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)

Description: This stage is also known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or carcinoma in situ (CIS).
Abnormal cells are present only in the surface layer of the cervix and have not invaded deeper tissues.

Characteristics: Precancerous changes are confined to the epithelium of the cervix.

Stage I

Description: Cancer is confined to the cervix.

Sub-stages:

Stage IA:

IA1: Microinvasive cancer with a depth of invasion of 3 mm or less and horizontal spread of 7 mm or less.

IA2: Invasion greater than 3 mm but not more than 5 mm in depth and not more than 7 mm in
horizontal spread.

Stage IB:

IB1: Invasive cancer with a lesion larger than 5 mm in depth and more than 7 mm in horizontal spread
but no larger than 4 cm.

IB2: Tumor larger than 4 cm but still confined to the cervix.

Stage II

Description: Cancer has spread beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic wall or the lower third of the
vagina.

Sub-stages:

Stage IIA:

IIA1: Tumor is no larger than 4 cm.

IIA2: Tumor is larger than 4 cm.

Stage IIB: Cancer has spread to the parametrial tissue (the tissue around the uterus) but not to the pelvic
sidewall.

Stage III
Description: Cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina or to the pelvic wall, and/or causes
kidney problems (hydronephrosis) or non-functioning kidney.

Sub-stages:

Stage IIIA: Cancer involves the lower third of the vagina but not the pelvic wall.

Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall and/or causes hydronephrosis or a non-functioning
kidney.

Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread to the pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph nodes.

IIIC1: Spread to pelvic lymph nodes.

IIIC2: Spread to para-aortic lymph nodes.

Stage IV

Description: Cancer has spread beyond the pelvis or has involved (invaded) the bladder or rectum. This
stage is further divided into IVA and IVB.

Sub-stages:

Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the bladder or rectum.

Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the lungs, liver, bones, or distant lymph nodes.