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Cervical Cancer Early Detection,

Diagnosis, and Staging
Detection and Diagnosis
Catching cancer early often allows for more treatment options. Some early cancers may
have signs and symptoms that can be noticed, but that is not always the case.
● Can Cervical Cancer Be Found Early?

● Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection1
● Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
● Tests for Cervical Cancer
Stages and Outlook (Prognosis)
After a cancer diagnosis, staging provides important information about the extent of
cancer in the body and anticipated response to treatment.
● Cervical Cancer Stages

● Survival Rates for Cervical Cancer
Questions to Ask About Cervical Cancer
Here are some questions you can ask your cancer care team to help you better
understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment options.
● What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Cervical Cancer?
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American Cancer Society cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
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Can Cervical Cancer Be Found Early?

The best way to find cervical cancer early is to have regular screening with a Pap test
(which may be combined with a test for human papilloma virus or HPV). As Pap testing
became routine in this country, finding pre-invasive lesions (pre-cancers) of the cervix
became far more common than finding invasive cancer. Being alert to any signs and
symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis. Early
detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and can prevent any
early cervical cell changes from becoming cancerous.
More information about using the Pap test and the HPV test to find cervical cancer
early, including the American Cancer Society’s Guidelines for cervical cancer screening
can be found in Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection1.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/cervical-
cancer-screening-guidelines.html
References
See all references for Cervical Cancer (www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-

cancer/references.html)
Last Medical Review: November 16, 2016 Last Revised: December 5, 2016
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms.
Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer becomes invasive and grows into nearby
tissue. When this happens, the most common symptoms are:
● Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after
menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, and having (menstrual)
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periods that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding after douching or after a
pelvic exam may also occur.
● An unusual discharge from the vagina the discharge may contain some blood and
may occur between your periods or after menopause.
● Pain during sex.
These signs and symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cervical
cancer. For example, an infection can cause pain or bleeding. Still, if you have any of
these symptoms, see a health care professional right away. Ignoring symptoms may
allow the cancer to grow to a more advanced stage and lower your chance for effective
treatment.
Even better, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Have regular screening tests for
cervical cancer1.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/cervical-
cancer-screening-guidelines.html
References

Tests for Cervical Cancer

The first step in finding cervical cancer is often an abnormal Pap test result. This will
lead to further tests which can diagnose cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer may also be suspected if you have symptoms like abnormal vaginal
bleeding or pain during sex. Your primary doctor or gynecologist often can do the tests
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needed to diagnose pre-cancers and cancers and may also be able to treat a pre-
cancer.
If there is a diagnosis of invasive cancer, your doctor should refer you to a gynecologic
oncologist, a doctor who specializes in cancers of women's reproductive systems.
Tests for women with symptoms of cervical cancer or abnormal Pap

results
Medical history and physical exam
First, the doctor will ask you about your personal and family medical history. This
includes information related to risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. A complete
physical exam will help evaluate your general state of health. The doctor will do a pelvic
exam and may do a Pap test if one has not already been done. In addition, your lymph
nodes will be felt for evidence of metastasis (cancer spread).
The Pap test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. It cannot tell for certain if you
have cervical cancer. An abnormal Pap test result may mean more testing, sometimes
including tests to see if a cancer or a pre-cancer is actually present. The tests that are
used include colposcopy (with biopsy), endocervical scraping, and cone biopsies.
Colposcopy
If you have certain symptoms that are suggestive of cancer or if your Pap test result
shows abnormal cells, you will need to have a test called colposcopy. You will lie on the
exam table as you do with a pelvic exam. A speculum will be placed in the vagina to
help the doctor see the cervix. The doctor will use a colposcope to examine the cervix.
The colposcope is an instrument that stays outside the body and has magnifying lenses.
It lets the doctor see the surface of the cervix closely and clearly. Colposcopy itself is
usually no more uncomfortable than any other speculum exam. It can be done safely
even if you are pregnant. Like the Pap test, it is better not to do it during your menstrual
period.
The doctor will put a weak solution of acetic acid (similar to vinegar) on your cervix to
make any abnormal areas easier to see. If an abnormal area is seen, a biopsy (removal
of a small piece of tissue) will be done. The tissue is sent to a lab to be looked at under
a microscope. A biopsy is the best way to tell for certain if an abnormal area is a pre-
cancer, a true cancer, or neither. Although the colposcopy procedure is usually not
painful, the cervical biopsy can cause discomfort, cramping, bleeding, or even pain in
some women.
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Cervical biopsies
Several types of biopsies can be used to diagnose cervical pre-cancers and cancers. If
the biopsy can completely remove all of the abnormal tissue, it might be the only
treatment needed.
Colposcopic biopsy
For this type of biopsy, first the cervix is examined with a colposcope to find the
abnormal areas. Using a biopsy forceps, a small (about 1/8-inch) section of the
abnormal area on the surface of the cervix is removed. The biopsy procedure may
cause mild cramping, brief pain, and some slight bleeding afterward. A local anesthetic
is sometimes used to numb the cervix before the biopsy.
Endocervical curettage (endocervical scraping)
Sometimes the transformation zone (the area at risk for HPV infection and pre-cancer)
cannot be seen with the colposcope and something else must be done to check that
area for cancer. This means taking a scraping of the endocervix by inserting a narrow
instrument (called a curette) into the endocervical canal (the part of the cervix closest to
the uterus). The curette is used to scrape the inside of the canal to remove some of the
tissue, which is then sent to the laboratory for examination. After this procedure,
patients may feel a cramping pain, and they may also have some light bleeding.
Cone biopsy
In this procedure, also known as conization, the doctor removes a cone-shaped piece of
tissue from the cervix. The base of the cone is formed by the exocervix (outer part of the
cervix), and the point or apex of the cone is from the endocervical canal. The tissue
removed in the cone includes the transformation zone (the border between the
exocervix and endocervix, where cervical pre-cancers and cancers are most likely to
start).
A cone biopsy can also be used as a treatment to completely remove many pre-cancers
and some very early cancers. Having had a cone biopsy will not prevent most women
from getting pregnant, but if a large amount of tissue has been removed, women may
have a higher risk of giving birth prematurely.
The methods commonly used for cone biopsies are the loop electrosurgical excision
procedure (LEEP), also called the large loop excision of the transformation zone
(LLETZ), and the cold knife cone biopsy.
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● Loop electrosurgical procedure (LEEP, LLETZ): In this method, the tissue is

removed with a thin wire loop that is heated by electricity and acts as a small knife.
For this procedure, a local anesthetic is used, and it can be done in your doctor's
office.
● Cold knife cone biopsy: This method is done in a hospital. A surgical scalpel or a
laser is used to remove the tissue instead of a heated wire. You will receive
anesthesia during the operation (either a general anesthesia, where you are
asleep, or a spinal or epidural anesthesia, where an injection into the area around
the spinal cord makes you numb below the waist). Having any type of cone biopsy
will not prevent most women from getting pregnant, but if a large amount of tissue
has been removed, women may have a higher risk of giving birth prematurely.
Pre-cancerous changes in a biopsy are called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Sometimes the term dysplasia is used instead of CIN. CIN is graded on a scale of 1 to 3
based on how much of the cervical tissue looks abnormal when viewed under the
microscope.
How biopsy results are reported
● In CIN1, not much of the tissue looks abnormal, and it is considered the least
serious cervical pre-cancer (mild dysplasia).
● In CIN2 more of the tissue looks abnormal (moderate dysplasia)
● In CIN3 most of the tissue looks abnormal; CIN3 is the most serious pre-cancer
(severe dysplasia) and includes carcinoma in situ).
If a biopsy shows a pre-cancer, doctors will take steps to keep an actual cancer from
developing. Treatment of women with abnormal pap results is discussed in Cervical
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Diagnostic tests for women with cervical cancer
If a biopsy shows that cancer is present, your doctor may order certain tests to see how
far the cancer has spread. Many of the tests described below are not necessary for
every patient. Decisions about using these tests are based on the results of the physical
exam and biopsy.
Cystoscopy, proctoscopy, and examination under anesthesia
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These are most often done in women who have large tumors. They are not necessary if
the cancer is caught early.
In cystoscopy a slender tube with a lens and a light is placed into the bladder through
the urethra. This lets the doctor check your bladder and urethra to see if cancer is
growing into these areas. Biopsy samples can be removed during cystoscopy for
pathologic (microscopic) testing. Cystoscopy can be done under a local anesthetic, but
some patients may need general anesthesia. Your doctor will let you know what to
expect before and after the procedure.
Proctoscopy is a visual inspection of the rectum through a lighted tube to check for
spread of cervical cancer into your rectum.
Your doctor may also do a pelvic exam while you are under anesthesia to find out if the
cancer has spread beyond the cervix.
Imaging studies
If your doctor finds that you have cervical cancer, certain imaging studies1 may be
done to look inside the body. These tests can show if and where the cancer has spread,
which will help you and your doctor decide on a treatment plan.
Chest x-ray
Your chest may be x-rayed to see if cancer has spread to your lungs. This is very
unlikely unless the cancer is far advanced.
Computed tomography (CT)
CT scans are usually done if the tumor is larger or if there is concern about cancer
spread. For more information, see CT Scan for Cancer2.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI looks at soft tissue parts of the body sometimes better than other imaging tests.
Your doctor will decide which imaging test is best for your situation.
For more information, see MRI for Cancer3.
Intravenous urography
Intravenous urography (also known as intravenous pyelogram, or IVP) is an x-ray of
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the urinary system taken after a special dye is injected into a vein. This test can find
abnormal areas in the urinary tract, caused by the spread of cervical cancer. The most
common finding is a blockage of the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the
bladder) by the cancer. IVP is rarely used for patients with cervical cancer because CT
and MRI are also good at finding abnormal areas in the urinary tract, as well as others
not seen with an IVP.
Positron emission tomography(PET scan)
PET scans use glucose (a form of sugar) that contains a radioactive atom. Cancer cells
in the body absorb large amounts of the radioactive sugar and a special camera can
detect the radioactivity.
This test can help see if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. PET scans can also be
useful if your doctor thinks the cancer has spread but doesn’t know where, because
they scan your whole body.
PET scans are often combined with CT scans using a machine that can do both at the
same time. The combined PET/CT test is rarely used for patients with early cervical
cancer, but may be used to look for more advanced cancer or if radiation treatment is a
possibility. For more information on this test, see Nuclear Medicine Scans for Cancer4.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/imaging-radiology-
tests-for-cancer.html
2. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/ct-scan-for-
cancer.html
3. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/mri-for-cancer.html
4. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/nuclear-medicine-
scans-for-cancer.html
References

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Cervical Cancer Stages

After someone is diagnosed with cervical cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has
spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer
describes the extent of the cancer in the body. It helps determine how serious the
cancer is and how best to treat it1. The stage is one of the most important factors in
deciding how to treat the cancer and determining how successful treatment might
be.
To determine the cancer’s stage after a cervical cancer diagnosis, doctors try to answer
these questions:
● How far has the cancer grown into the cervix?

● Has the cancer reached nearby structures?
● Has the cancer spread to the nearby lymph nodes or to distant organs?
Information from exams and tests is used to determine the size of the tumor, how
deeply the tumor has invaded tissues in and around the cervix, and its spread to distant
places (metastasis). For more information see Cancer Staging2.
The FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging system

is used most often for cancers of the female reproductive organs, including cervical
cancer. For cervical cancer, the clinical stage is used and is based on the results of the
doctor's physical exam, biopsies, imaging tests, and a few other tests that are done in
some cases, such as cystoscopy and proctoscopy. It is not based on what is found
during surgery. If surgery is done, a pathologic stage can be determined from the
findings at surgery, but it does not change your clinical stage. Your treatment plan is
based on the clinical stage.
The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system is another
staging system based on 3 key pieces of information:
● T describes how far the main (primary) tumor has grown into the cervix and
whether it has grown into nearby tissues.
● N indicates any cancer spread to lymph nodes near the cervix. Lymph nodes are
bean-sized collections of immune system cells, to which cancers often spread first.
● M indicates if the cancer has spread (metastasized) to distant sites, such as other
organs or lymph nodes that are not near the cervix.
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FIGO stages are the same as AJCC stages.
Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors.
Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced. Once a person’s T, N, and M
categories have been determined, this information is combined in a process called
stage grouping to assign an overall stage.
Cervical cancer stage ranges from stages I (1) through IV (4).
As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such
as stage IV, means a more advanced cancer. And within a stage, an earlier letter
means a lower stage. Cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are
often treated in much the same way.
Cervical cancer staging can be complex. If you have any questions about your stage,
please ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you understand. (An explanation of
the TNM and FIGO systems is in the stage table below.)
AJCC Stage FIGO

Stage description
grouping Stage
Stage
The cancer cells have grown from the surface of the cervix into
T1 deeper tissues of the cervix. The cancer may also be growing into the
body of the uterus, but it has not grown outside the uterus (T1).
I Any N I
It might or might not have not spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N).
M0
It has not spread to distant sites (M0).
There is a very small amount of cancer, and it can be seen only

T1a
under a microscope (T1a).
IA Any N IA
M0
T1a1 The area of cancer is less than 3 mm (about 1/8-inch) deep and less
than 7 mm (about 1/4-inch) wide (T1a1).
Any N
IA1 IA1
M0
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The area of cancer invasion is between 3 mm and 5 mm (about 1/5-

T1a2
inch) deep and less than 7 mm (about 1/4-inch) wide (T1a2).
IA2 Any N IA2
M0
This includes stage I cancers that can be seen without a microscope

as well as cancers that can only be seen with a microscope if they
T1b
have spread deeper than 5 mm (about 1/5 inch) into connective
IB Any N IB tissue of the cervix or are wider than 7 mm (T1b).
M0 It might or might not have not spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N).
The cancer can be seen but it is not larger than 4 cm (about 1 3/5
T1b
inches) (T1b1).
IB1 Any N IB1
M0
T1b2 The cancer can be seen and is larger than 4 cm (T1b2).
IB2 Any N IB2 It might or might not have not spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N).
M0 It has not spread to distant sites (M0).
The cancer has grown beyond the cervix and uterus, but hasn't
T2
spread to the walls of the pelvis or the lower part of the vagina (T2).
II
Any N II
M0
The cancer has not spread into the tissues next to the cervix (called
T2a
the parametria) (T2a).
IIA Any N IIA
M0
T2a1 The cancer can be seen but it is not larger than 4 cm (about 1 3/5
IIA1 IIA1 inches) (T2a1).
Any N
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M0
T2a2 The cancer can be seen and is larger than 4 cm(T2a2).
IIA2 Any N IIA2 It might or might not have not spread to nearby lymph nodes (Any N).
M0 It has not spread to distant sites (M0).
The cancer has spread into the tissues next to the cervix (the
T2b
parametria) (T2b).
IIB Any N IIB
Mo
The cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or the walls of
T3 the pelvis. The cancer may be blocking the ureters (tubes that carry
urine from the kidneys to the bladder) (T3).
III Any N III
M0
The cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or the walls of
T3a the pelvis. The cancer may be blocking the ureters (tubes that carry
urine from the kidneys to the bladder) (T3a).
IIIA Any N IIIA
M0
The cancer has grown into the walls of the pelvis and/or is blocking
T3b one or both ureters causing kidney problems (called hydronephrosis)
(T3b).
IIIB Any N IIIB
M0
T4 The cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum or it is growing out of

the pelvis (T4).
IVA Any N IVA
M0
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Any T
The cancer has spread to distant organs beyond the pelvic area,
IVB Any N
such as distant lymph nodes, lungs, bones or liver. (M1)
M1
T categories for cervical cancer
The T category describes how far the main tumor has grown into the cervix or beyond.
The T categories are described in the table above, except for:
● TX: Main tumor cannot be assessed due to lack of information

● T0: No evidence of a primary tumor
N categories for cervical cancer
The N category describes spread only to the lymph nodes near the cervix. Spread to
distant nodes is considered metastasis (described in the M category).
The N categories are described in the table above, except for:
● NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed due to lack of information.

● N0: There is no regional lymph node spread.
● N1: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
M categories for cervical cancer
The M categories are described in the table above.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/treating.html
2. www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/staging.html
References
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American Joint Committee on Cancer. Cervix Uteri. In: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual.
8th ed. New York, NY: Springer; 2017:649-659.

Last Medical Review: December 11, 2017 Last Revised: December 11, 2017
Survival Rates for Cervical Cancer

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type
and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they
were diagnosed. They can’t tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a
better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.
Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous
outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they can’t
predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. These statistics can be
confusing and may lead you to have more questions. Talk with your doctor about
how these numbers may apply to you, as he or she is familiar with your situation.
What is a 5-year relative survival rate?
A relative survival rate compares women with the same type and stage of cervical
cancer to women in the overall population. For example, if the 5-year relative survival
rate for a specific stage of cervical cancer is 90%, it means that women who have that
cancer are, on average, about 90% as likely as women who don’t have that cancer to
live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed.
Where do these numbers come from?
The American Cancer Society relies on information from the SEER* database,
maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to provide survival statistics for
different types of cancer.
The SEER database tracks 5-year relative survival rates for cervical cancer in the
United States, based on how far the cancer has spread. The SEER database, however,
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does not group cancers by AJCC TNM stages (stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, etc.). Instead,
it groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages:
● Localized: There is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the cervix or
uterus. This includes stage I cancers.
● Regional: The cancer has spread beyond the cervix and uterus to nearby
structures. This includes mainly stage II, III and IVA cancers.
● Distant: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body such as the lungs, liver
or bones. For cervical cancer, this includes stage IVB cancers.
5-year relative survival rates for cervical cancer
(Based on women diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2008 and 2014.)
SEER Stage 5-year Relative Survival Rate
Localized 92%
Regional 56%
Distant 17%
All SEER stages combined 66%
Understanding the numbers
● People now being diagnosed with cervical cancer may have a better outlook
than these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are
based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least five years earlier.
● These numbers apply only to the stage of the cancer when it is first
diagnosed. They do not apply later on if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back
after treatment.
● These numbers don’t take everything into account. Survival rates are grouped
based on how far the cancer has spread, but your age, overall health, how well the
cancer responds to treatment, and other factors will also affect your outlook.
*SEER= Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results
Hyperlinks
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1. https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2015/
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2019. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer
Society; 2019.
Noone AM, Howlader N, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z,

Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics
Review, 1975-2015, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD,
https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2015/ (seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2015/)1, based on
November 2017 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2018.

Last Medical Review: December 11, 2017 Last Revised: February 5, 2019
What Should You Ask Your Doctor

About Cervical Cancer?
It is important for you to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. They
want to answer all of your questions, so that you can make informed treatment and life
decisions. For instance, consider these questions:
When you're told you have cervical cancer
● What type1 of cervical cancer do I have?

● Has my cancer spread outside the cervix?
● Can the stage of my cancer be determined and what does that mean?
● Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
● Do I need to see any other doctors or health professionals?
● If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and
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treatment, who can help me?
When deciding on a treatment plan
● What are my treatment choices?

● What treatment do you recommend and why?
● How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
● Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
● What would the goal of the treatment be?
● How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
● What should I do to be ready for treatment?
● How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
● What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest? Are there things
I can do to reduce these side effects?
● How might treatment affect my daily activities?
● What are the chances my cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment
plans?
● What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
● Will I be able to have children after my treatment?
● What are my treatment options if I want to have children in the future?
During treatment
Once treatment begins, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all
of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
● How will we know if the treatment is working?

● Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
● What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
● How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
● Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
● Are there any limits on what I can do?
● What kind of exercise should I do, and how often?
● Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel
overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
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After treatment
● Will I need a special diet after treatment?

● Are there any limits on what I can do?
● What other symptoms should I watch for?
● What kind of exercise should I do now?
● What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
● How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
● Will I need any blood tests?
● How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
● What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For
instance, you might want more information about recovery times. Or you might ask if
you qualify for a clinical trial.
Keep in mind that doctors aren’t the only ones who can give you information. Other
health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, can answer some of your
questions. To find out more about speaking with your health care team, see The Doctor-
Patient Relationship.
Hyperlinks
1. www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/what-is-cervical-cancer.html
References

Last Medical Review: September 19, 2014 Last Revised: January 29, 2016
Written by
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The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

(www.cancer.org/cancer/acs-medical-content-and-news-staff.html)
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of
cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in
medical writing.
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint

requests, please see our Content Usage Policy (www.cancer.org/about-
us/policies/content-usage.html).
cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
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cancer.org | 1.800.227.

Cervical Cancer Early Detection,

● Can Cervical Cancer Be Found Early?

Stages and Outlook (Prognosis)

● Cervical Cancer Stages

Questions to Ask About Cervical Cancer

● What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Cervical Cancer?

Can Cervical Cancer Be Found Early?

See all references for Cervical Cancer (www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

See all references for Cervical Cancer (www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-

Tests for Cervical Cancer

Tests for women with symptoms of cervical cancer or abnormal Pap

Medical history and physical exam

Endocervical curettage (endocervical scraping)

● Loop electrosurgical procedure (LEEP, LLETZ): In this method, the tissue is

Pre-cancerous changes in a biopsy are called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

How biopsy results are reported

Diagnostic tests for women with cervical cancer

Cystoscopy, proctoscopy, and examination under anesthesia

Computed tomography (CT)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

For more information, see MRI for Cancer3.

Intravenous urography (also known as intravenous pyelogram, or IVP) is an x-ray of

Positron emission tomography(PET scan)

See all references for Cervical Cancer (www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-

Cervical Cancer Stages

● How far has the cancer grown into the cervix?

The FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging system

FIGO stages are the same as AJCC stages.

Cervical cancer stage ranges from stages I (1) through IV (4).

AJCC Stage FIGO

There is a very small amount of cancer, and it can be seen only

The area of cancer invasion is between 3 mm and 5 mm (about 1/5-

This includes stage I cancers that can be seen without a microscope

It has not spread to distant sites (M0).

T1b2 The cancer can be seen and is larger than 4 cm (T1b2).

M0 It has not spread to distant sites (M0).

T2a2 The cancer can be seen and is larger than 4 cm(T2a2).

M0 It has not spread to distant sites (M0).

T4 The cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum or it is growing out of

It has not spread to distant sites (M0).

T categories for cervical cancer

The T categories are described in the table above, except for:

● TX: Main tumor cannot be assessed due to lack of information

N categories for cervical cancer

The N categories are described in the table above, except for:

● NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed due to lack of information.

M categories for cervical cancer

The M categories are described in the table above.

See all references for Cervical Cancer (www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-

Survival Rates for Cervical Cancer

What is a 5-year relative survival rate?

Where do these numbers come from?

5-year relative survival rates for cervical cancer

SEER Stage 5-year Relative Survival Rate

All SEER stages combined 66%

Understanding the numbers