In stage 3 cervical cancer, the cancer has spread to areas of your pelvis beyond your cervix. Symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
Cervical cancer starts in your cervix (the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vagina). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
As with many other types of cancer, doctors separate cervical cancer cases into four stages, which indicate how far the cancer has spread.
This article reviews the characteristics of stage 3 cervical cancer, symptoms to be aware of, and what to expect regarding treatment and outlook.
In stage 3, cervical cancer has spread to areas of your pelvis beyond your cervix, which can include the lower part of your vagina, the pelvic walls, and nearby lymph nodes.
At this point, the cancer has not yet spread to more distant parts of your body, such as your bones or lungs.
Stage 3 cervical cancer is further divided into stage 3A, stage 3B, and stage 3C:
- Stage 3A has spread into the lower part of your vagina but has not yet spread into the pelvic walls or nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 3B has spread into the pelvic walls and may be causing kidney problems by blocking one or both of the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder). It has not yet spread into nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 3C is subdivided into stage 3C1 and 3C2:
- Stage 3C1 has spread to nearby lymph nodes in your pelvis.
- Stage 3C2 has spread to lymph nodes in your abdomen, close to your aorta.
How long does it take to develop stage 3 cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer grows slowly. The
In many cases, cervical cancer does not have symptoms until it has spread. But possible symptoms to look out for include:
- atypical vaginal bleeding, such as:
- menstrual periods that last longer or are heavier than usual
- vaginal discharge that’s watery, has an unusually unpleasant smell, or contains blood
- pelvic pain, including pain during sex
Additional symptoms of more advanced cervical cancer, such as stage 3 cervical cancer, can include:
- urinary problems, such as:
- trouble having a bowel movement or pain during a bowel movement
- swelling in your legs
- abdominal pain or back pain
- fatigue
However, these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer. If you develop any of these symptoms, the only way to be sure of the cause is to consult a doctor.
Cervical cancer can sometimes be cured when it’s found in earlier stages. The cancer is more difficult to cure when it has reached more advanced stages, such as stage 3. But it can still be treated with the goal of remission.
Stage 3 cervical cancer is treated with chemoradiation, which is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Giving chemotherapy at the same time improves the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
You may receive chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin or carboplatin. Radiation therapy often involves a combination of external beam radiation and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy).
Doctors may also recommend surgery to remove lymph nodes in your pelvis. Surgery is typically followed by radiation therapy, which may or may not include chemotherapy.
The outlook for stage 3 cervical cancer depends on several factors, such as:
- the type of cervical cancer
- where in your pelvis the cancer has spread
- the size of the cancer
- the molecular and genetic characteristics of the cancer
- how the cancer responds to treatment
- whether cancer is newly diagnosed or is a recurrence
- your age and overall health
Doctors often use 5-year relative survival rates when discussing the outlook for cancer. A 5-year relative survival rate is an estimate of the likelihood that a person with a specific type and stage of cancer will survive for 5 years after their diagnosis, as compared with people who do not have cancer.
According to the
A note on survival rates
When considering 5-year survival rates, remember that they don’t account for individual factors like your age, your overall health, or the specific characteristics of the cancer you’re experiencing.
Further, because these statistics are collected over a longer period, they often do not account for recent advances in cervical cancer detection and treatment.
To better understand your outlook, it’s important to have an open discussion with your cancer care team.
Stage 3 cervical cancer has spread from your cervix into the lower part of your vagina, the walls of your pelvis, or nearby lymph nodes. Stage 3 is further divided into three substages: 3A, 3B, and 3C.
The outlook for cervical cancer is best when the cancer is found and treated early. Be sure to consult a doctor if you develop symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or periods that are longer or heavier than usual.