Cervical Cancer - Treatment for CIN and Carcinoma in Situ

(Page 2)

Highlights	Prognosis	Radiation
Introduction	Symptoms	Chemotherapy
Causes	Diagnosis and Screening	Resources
Risk Factors	Treatment	References
Prevention	Surgery

In stage IA, the cancer cells can be seen only under a microscope. In stage IA1, there is minimal invasion (less than 3 mm and less than 7 mm wide) In stage IA2, there is deeper invasion of 3 - 5 mm) but the microscopic tumor is still less than 7 mm wide.
In stage IB, the cancer is either visible without a microscope, or it is still microscopic but is more than 5 mm deep or 7 mm wide. Cancer that can be seen without a microscope is divided into Stage 1B1 and Stage 1B2. In stage 1B1, the cancer is smaller than 4 cm. In stage IB2, the cancer is larger than 4 cm.

Stage II. Stage II invasive cancer has spread beyond the cervix, but it has not spread to the pelvic side wall. This stage is further categorized as IIA and IIB.

text continues below

In stage IIA, the cancer has spread to the upper two-thirds of the vagina but not to the uterus.
In stage IIB, the cancer has spread beyond the vagina into the tissues of the uterus.

Stage III. In stage III, the cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina.

In stage IIIA, the cancer has not spread to the pelvic wall.
In stage IIIB, the cancer has spread to the pelvic wall. The tumor may have become large enough to block the ureters of the kidney, which can cause the kidney to stop functioning.

Stage IV. Stage IV is advanced (metastasized) cancer. The cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body.

In stage IVA, the cancer has spread to organs located near the cervix, such as the bladder or rectum.
In stage IVB, the cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area to other parts of the body, such as the liver, intestinal tract, or lungs.

Treatment Options by Stage

Treatments for cervical cancer depend on the stage of the cancer. Clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches are available for all stages of cervical cancer.

Stage 0. Stage 0 cancer is carcinoma in situ (CIN III) and is considered a pre-invasive cancer. Treatment options include:

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
Laser surgery
Conization
Cryosurgery
Total (simple) hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix), for women who no longer want children
Internal radiation therapy, for women who cannot have surgery