The cervix is located in the lower part of the uterus, according to MedlinePlus. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes cervical cancer. Regular Pap tests and pelvic exams can help in the treatment and management of HPV prior to the development of cancer. A vaccine is currently available for younger women to protect against four types of HPV. Cervical cancer staging begins with stage 0, which includes abnormal cells in the inner lining of the cervix that may become cancerous. Stages I through IV include the presence of cancer and are divided into subcategories for each stage.
Stage IA1
According to the National Cancer Institute, stage IA1 has a small amount of cancer in the cervix that can be seen only under a microscope. It is usually no more than 3 mm deep and no more than 7 mm wide.
Stage IA2
Similar to stage IA1, stage IA2 can only be seen under a microscope and is a tumor between 3 and 5 mm deep and not greater than 7 mm wide.
Stage IB
According to the National Cancer Institute, stage IB cancer is confined to the cervix and can only be seen with a microscope, and the tumor is more than 5 mm deep and 7 mm wide. It is divided into stages IB1 and IB2. Stage IB1 cervical cancer has a tumor size not larger than 4 cm. It can be seen without the use of a microscope.
Stage IB2
According to the National Cancer Institute, the tumor in the cervix is more than 4 cm and can be seen without a microscope.
Stage IIA
Stage IIA cervical cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute, has spread past the cervix but not yet to the pelvic wall area or the lower part of the vagina. Stage IIA has spread to the upper two-thirds of the vagina, but not yet to the tissues around the uterus.
Stage IIB
According to the National Cancer Institute, stage IIB is characterized by the cancer spreading past the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina and also to other tissues around the uterus.
Stage IIIA
In stage IIIA, the cancer has spread past the cervix and the upper two-thirds of the vagina and the uterine tissue to the lower third of the vagina. During stage IIIA, it has not yet moved to the pelvic wall.
Stage IIIB
According to the National Cancer Institute, in stage IIIB the cancer has spread to the pelvic wall, and the tumor may also block the ureters. The blocking of the ureters may stop the kidneys from working. The cancer may also have spread to the lymph nodes in the pelvis.
Stage IVA
In stage IVA, the cancer may have spread to the bladder, rectum and lymph nodes. This is in addition to its presence in the cervix and uterus.
Stage IVB
According to the National Cancer Institute, in stage IVB, the cancer has moved past the pelvic lymph nodes and may be present in the abdomen, liver, intestinal track or lungs.
