STAGE OF CERVICAL CANCER
Categories: Uncategorized | November 21st, 2007 | by admin | no comments
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects women of all ages. It starts to grow in the area that we call the womb or cervix. The main focus for the woman who has cervical cancer and the doctor treating her is the stage of cervical cancer. The stage of cervical cancer can determine how the cancer can be treated or how additional growth can be inhibited. Because cervical cancer is often not found due to a lapse in gynecologist appointments, quick exams, etc. it can often grow very quickly without giving any unusual signs or symptoms until it is in the later stages. This is why it is imperative to keep such appointments and pay attention to any symptoms that may be trying to warn you of something.
Carcinoma in situ is a common explanation for stage 0 cervical cancers. In this stage there are cancer cells present but they have not spread to the other deeper tissues in the cervix. They can be easily removed and often a hysterectomy or a cone biopsy is performed in order to achieve this. Keep in mind that this stage is similar to the finding of abnormal cells in the cervix as well and the treatments are the same.
In Stage 1 cervical cancer it is common to find the stage divided into two and also subdivided again into four distinct stages. In stage 1A the growth of the cancer is microscopic but it has indeed started to grow into deeper tissues. In stage 1A1 these cells have grown up to 3mm in diameter. In stage 1A2 the cells have grown up to 5mm in diameter. In stage 1B1 the cells have grown up to 4cm and in stage 1B2 it has grown to more than 4cm in diameter.
Stage 2 cervical cancer is also divided into two distinct subcategories. In stage 2A the cells have started to spread into the other tissues and possibly into the upper portion of the vaginal area but have not yet reached the womb. In stage 2B the spread is noticeable in the upper cervix and surrounding tissues.
Stage 3 cervical cancer is also divided into two distinct subcategories. In stage 3A the cells have spread into the lower part of the vagina but have not yet affected the wall of the pelvis. In stage 3B it is possible for the cells to have grown into the wall of the pelvis in which they can also block the kidney’s ureters.
Stage 4 cervical cancer has also been divided into two specific parts. Stage 4A describes the cancer cell growth in organs near the cervix. When the cancer cells spread to other far away organs it is determined to be stage 4B.