The levels of staging include:
Stage I – The cancer is found only in the cervix
Stage II – The cancer is found in the cervix and upper portion of the vagina
Stage III – The cancer has progressed to the lower portion of the vagina or the pelvic side wall
Stage IV – Cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum or can be found in other areas of the body.
Imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI exams and PET scans can help with diagnosing where in the body the cancer is located. There are also scopes that can help examine the bladder and rectum.
Depending on the levels discovered, treatment can include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of all three. Again, cervical cancer is usually highly treatable if it hasn’t spread, and the prognosis for survival is high.