Advanced cancer

Symptoms of advanced cancer

Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer depend on where the cancer is in the body. It might include tiredness, tummy pain, feeling bloated, constipation, or vomiting large amounts.

Not all symptoms mean that you have advanced cancer. Other conditions could also cause them. Tell your doctor or specialist nurse if you're worried about a symptom or if it continues for more than a few days.

Find out about treating symptoms of advanced cancer

Possible symptoms

The most common places for cervical cancer to spread is to the lymph nodes, liver, lungs and bones.

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are part of a system of tubes and glands in the body that filters body fluids and fights infection.

The most common symptom that happens when cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, is that they feel hard or swollen. Cervical cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the area between the hip bones (pelvis).

Cancer cells can also stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in your tummy (abdomen) or legs due to fluid build up. The swelling is called lymphoedema.

Diagram of the lymph nodes in the pelvis with para-aortic lymph nodes.

Find out about lymphoedema

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the liver

You might have any of these symptoms if the cancer has spread to your liver:

discomfort or pain on the right side of your abdomen
feeling sick
poor appetite and weight loss
swollen abdomen (called ascites)
yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
itchy skin

Find out about cancer that has spread to the liver

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the lungs

You may have any of these symptoms if cancer has spread to your lungs:

a cough that doesn’t go away
breathlessness
coughing up blood
a build up of fluid between the chest wall and the lung (a pleural effusion)

Find out about treatment for cancer that has spread to the lungs

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the bones

Cervical cancer may spread to the bones. The most common symptom if cancer has spread to the bone is bone pain. It is usually there most of the time and wakes you up at night. It can be a dull ache or stabbing pain.

Your bones might also become weaker and more likely to break (fracture).

Having bone pain does not mean that your cancer has definitely spread to the bones. There may be other reasons for your bone pain. Speak to your doctor or nurse if you are worried.

Find out about treatment for cancer that has spread to the bones

Last reviewed: 22 Nov 2023

Next review due: 22 Nov 2026

Treatment for cervical cancer

Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of cervical cancer you have, how big it is, whether it has spread (the stage) and the grade. It also depends on your general health.

Controlling symptoms of advanced cervical cancer

The symptoms of advanced cervical cancer depend on where the cancer is in your body. The team looking after you will offer support and treatment to help.

What is advanced cervical cancer?

Advanced cervical cancer means the cancer has spread from the cervix to another area of the body.

Tests and scans

Find out about tests to diagnose cancer and monitor it during and after treatment, including what each test can show, how you have it and how to prepare.