Stages of Uterine Cancer

If uterine cancer is diagnosed, the provider will then determine the stage of the disease in order to plan the most effective way to treat the specific condition. The tests involved in staging are designed to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the uterus, and if so, to what parts of the body.

In order to determine the stage of the cancer, the provider may order blood tests, urine tests and x-rays. Additional tests may include CT scans, an ultrasound test, magnetic resonance imaging, known as MRI, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. The most reliable way to stage uterine cancer is to perform a hysterectomy. After the uterus has been removed, signs that the cancer has invaded the muscle of the uterus can be looked for. The surgeon also can check the lymph nodes and other organs in the pelvic area for signs of cancer. A pathologist uses a microscope to examine the uterus and other tissues removed by the surgeon.

The stages of uterine cancer are:

• Stage I
  The cancer is only in the body of the uterus. It is not in the cervix.
   
• Stage II
  The cancer has spread from the body of the uterus to the cervix.
   
• Stage III
  The cancer has spread outside the uterus, but not outside the pelvis and not to the bladder or rectum. Lymph nodes in the pelvis may contain cancer cells.
   
• Stage IV
  The cancer has spread into the bladder or rectum. Or it has spread beyond the pelvis to other body parts.