Cervical cancer

• Stage IB indicates a larger amount of cancer is found in the tissues of the cervix.
• Stage II cancer has spread to nearby areas but is still inside the pelvic area.
• Stage IIA cancer has spread beyond the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina.
• Stage IIB cancer has spread to the tissue around the cervix.
• Stage III cancer has spread throughout the pelvic area. Cancer cells may have spread to the lower part of the vagina. The cells also may have spread to block the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.
• Stage IV cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
• Stage IVA cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum (organs close to the cervix).
• Stage IVB cancer has spread to other organs such as the lungs

Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Your doctor will discuss with you the treatment options which are available and which are the most suitable for you. He will take into account several factors such as the location of abnormal cells, the results of colposcopy, your age, and whether you want to have children in the future. Basically, treatment involves destroying or removing the abnormal cells. Three basic approaches are used alone or in various combinations:

• Surgery is used to remove the cancer. Various surgical techniques may be used, including: excision (cutting out the abnormal cells), electrocautery (electric current is passed through a metal rod that touches, burns and destroys abnormal cells), cryosurgery (abnormal cells are frozen with carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide), laser vaporisation (precise destruction of the small areas of abnormal cells with a laser), cone biopsy (a biopsy used as a treatment), and/or hysterectomy (removal of the cervix and uterus).