What Happens

If cervical cancer is not treated, it may spread from the cervix to the vagina, then into deeper tissue layers of connective tissue around the uterus. As it progresses, it may spread to the pelvic lymph nodes and other pelvic organs. Advanced-stage cancer may spread to lymph nodes, to other organs in the pelvis, causing problems with kidney and bowel function, or to other organs in the body, such as the liver and lungs.

Cervical cancer is classified in stages that are determined by the size of the cancer and how far it has spread to nearby tissues and other organs, such as the lungs, the liver, or bones. Your doctor will determine the stage of your cervical cancer by gathering information from a variety of tests, including X-rays. The stage of your cancer is one of the most important factors in selecting the treatment option that is right for you. The long-term outcome (prognosis) depends on the stage of your cervical cancer.