Stage 3 is divided into stages 3A, 3B and 3C. In stage 3, the cancer can be any size. It has spread into nearby lymph nodes. It may have spread to any of the following:

• the lower part of the tube that urine passes through (urethra)
• the lower part of the vagina
• the opening to the back passage (anus)

Stage 3A

Stage 3A can mean different things. We have 2 diagrams below to try to make it easier to understand.

Stage 3A can mean the cancer has spread to1 lymph node and this is 5mm or larger in size.

Or stage 3A can mean the cancer has spread to 1 or 2 lymph nodes and these are smaller than 5mm in size.

Stage 3B

Stage 3B can also mean different things.  It can mean the cancer has spread to 2 or more lymph nodes and these are 5mm or larger in size.

Or stage 3B can mean the cancer has spread to 3 or more lymph nodes and these are smaller than 5mm in size.

Stage 3C

Stage 3C means the cancer has spread to any number or lymph nodes AND it has spread outside the capsule that surrounds the lymph node.