Cervical Cancer Treatments Classified By ‘Stage' Of The Cancer
Cervical cancer is described in 5 stages depending on the size of the cancer and any spread into the surrounding tissues or spread into distant tissues (metastasis). The optimum treatment options for each Stage are summarized below:

• Stage 0 - Carinoma In-Situ.
  
• Stage I - Spread further into (but not beyond) the cervix.
  
• Stage II - Spread beyond the cervix into the pelvic area.
  
• Stage III - Spread into the lower vaginal area, possibly constricting the ureters.
  
• Stage IV - Spread to other tissues and organs, sometimes beyond the pelvic region.

Stage 0 Cervical Cancer Treatments
Stage 0 Cervical Cancer is ‘carcinoma in situ’, meaning that the tumor is restricted to the lining of the cervix. Stage 0 cervical cancer treatment options are all surgical in nature, including: Cryosurgery, Laser Surgery, Loop Electro-Surgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), and Cold Knife Conization. If the cancer recurrs, Hysterectomy may be considered, but is only appropriate when the patient does not wish to have any more children.

Stage I Cervical Cancer Treatments
Stage I Cervical Cancer means that the cancer has spread further into the cervix, but not beyond the cervix. There are various sub-stages in Stage I cervical cancer:

• Stage IA - the cancer is still microscopic.
  
• Stage IA1 - the cancer is less than 7mm wide and 3mm deep.
  
• Stage IA2 - the cancer is less than 7mm wide and 5mm deep.
  
• Stage IB - the cancer is deeper than 5mm and wider than 7mm.
  
• Stage IB1 - the cancer is 4cm or less.
  
• Stage IB2 - the cancer is larger that 4cm.
  

(there are 10mm in 1 cm, and 2.52cm in 1 inch)

Stage I Cervical Cancer Treatment options vary depending on whether the cancer is at Stage IA or has progressed to Stage IB:

• Stage 1A Cervical Cancer Treatment - usually involves simple hysterectomy. Stage IA2 cervical cancer, may require radical hysterectomy. If the cancer has invaded the blood or pelvic lymph nodes the lymph nodes may also be removed. For minor invasions, Cold Knife Conization may be considered in order to allow future pregnancy. Follow-up with Radiation cancer treatment may also be used to ensure removal of all cancer cells.
  
• Stage IB Cervical Cancer Treatment - usually involves radical hysterectomy, and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes may also be required. This may be followed by radiation cancer treatment or chemotherapy depending on the extent to which the cancer has spread. Radiation cancer treatments using the external beam x-ray technique, or implantation of radioactive pellets, may also be considered instead of surgery.

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Stage II Cervical Cancer Treatments
Stage II Cervical Cancer means that the has spread beyond the cervix into the pelvic area. The sub-stages of Stage II cervical cancer are:

• Stage IIA - the cancer has spread to the upper vaginal area.
  
• Stage IIB - the cancer has invaded the parametrial tissue close to the cervix.
  

Again, Stage II Cervical Cancer Treatment options vary depending upon the sub-stage:

• Stage IIA Cervical Cancer Treatment - will depend on the size and spread of the tumor. Radiation cancer treatment, usually combined with chemotherapy is most often recommended. Occasionally, depending upon the growth pattern of the tumor, a radical hysterectomy with lymph node removal, followed by radiation treratment, may be preferable.
  
• Stage IIB Cervical Cancer Treatment - usually involves radiation treatment, often combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy to increase the potency of the radiation treatment (other drugs may also be used as part of the chemotherapy treatment).

Stage III Cervical Cancer Treatments
Stage III Cervical Cancer means the cancer has spread into the lower vaginal area, possibly constricting the ureters (tubes that transport urine to the bladder). The sub-stages of Stage III cervical cancer are:

• Stage IIIA - the cancer has spread to the lower region of the vaginal area.
  
• Stage IIIB - the cancer has spread further into the lower vaginal area, affecting the wall of the pelvis and the ureters.

Stage III Cervical Cancer Treatment generally involves radiation treatment combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (although other drugs may also be used).

Stage IV Cervical Cancer Treatments
Stage IV Cervical Cancer means the cancer has spread to other tissues and organs, sometimes beyond the pelvic region. The sub-stages of Stage IV cancer are:

• Stage IVA – the cancer has spread to organs adjacent to the cervix, affecting the bladder and the rectum.
  
• Stage IVB - the cancer has spread to other tissues and organs around the body.
  

Stage IV Cervical Cancer Treatment depends on the level, size and spread of the tumor, but generally involves a combination of radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Current Stage IVB Cervical Cancer Treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms rather than providing a cure for this terminal form of cervical cancer.

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