Stages, types and grades of cervical cancer

There are different types of cervical cancer. The most common type is squamous cell cancer. Cancer cells are divided into 3 grades.

Stage 1 means that the cancer is only in the neck of the womb (cervix). Surgery is the main treatment. Very rarely, some people may need combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

Stage 2 means the cancer has spread outside the cervix, into the surrounding tissues. The main treatments are a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) and sometimes surgery.

Stage 3 means the cancer has spread from the cervix into the structures around it or into the lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen. Treatment is usually a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

Stage 4 means the cancer has spread to the bladder or back passage (rectum) or further away. Treatments might include chemoradiotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, a targeted cancer drug and an immunotherapy drug.

Small cell cancer of the cervix is a rare type of cervical cancer. It is a type of neuroendocrine cancer. Treatment is with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.