Survival rates decrease as the stage of cervical cancer becomes more advanced and the cancer involves other body organs. 1
| Stage of cancer | Tissue involvement | Treatment | 5-year survival rate |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Microinvasive with minimal invasion into deeper cell layers |
Cone biopsy or hysterectomy |
96%–99% |
|
|
Minimal invasion into deeper cell layers |
Surgery or radiation plus chemotherapy |
87% |
|
|
May extend beyond the cervix such as into the upper vagina, but not into the connective tissue surrounding the uterus or onto the pelvic wall |
Surgery or radiation plus chemotherapy |
65%–69% |
|
|
Cancer involves the pelvic sidewall and lower vagina |
Radiation and chemotherapy |
40%–43% |
|
|
Cancer has spread to other body organs (metastatic disease) |
Radiation and chemotherapy |
15%–20% |
Chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation treatment (chemoradiation) improves survival rates in stages IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and stage IVA cervical cancer. 2, 3, 4
About 35% of women with cervical cancer will have persistent or recurrent disease. 5 Recurrences usually develop in the first 2 years after initial treatment, so close monitoring is recommended. 6
References
Citations
Holschneider CH (2007). Premalignant and malignant disorders of the uterine cervix. In AH DeCherney et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 833–854. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division.
Waggoner SE (2003). Cervical cancer. Lancet, 361: 2217–2225.
Thigpen T (2003). The role of chemotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the cervix. Cancer Journal, 9(5): 425–432.
Eifel PJ, et al. (2004). Pelvic irradiation with concurrent chemotherapy versus pelvic and para-aortic irradiation for high-risk cervical cancer: An update of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial (RTOG) 90-01. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 22(5): 872–880.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2002, reaffirmed 2006). Diagnosis and treatment of cervical carcinomas. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 35. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 99(5): 855–867.
Janicek MF, Averette HE. (2001). Cervical cancer: Prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutics. CA, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 51: 92–114.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Editor | Maria Essig |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kevin Holcomb, MD - Gynecologic Oncology |
| Last Updated | September 5, 2008 |
