Cervical cancer survival rates


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Cervical cancer survival rates


Survival rates decrease as the stage of cervical cancer becomes more advanced and the cancer involves other body organs.1

Cervical cancer survival rates
Stage of cancer Tissue involvement Treatment 5-year survival rate

Stage IA

Microinvasive with minimal invasion into deeper cell layers

Cone biopsy or hysterectomy

96%–99%

Stage IB

Minimal invasion into deeper cell layers

Surgery or radiation plus chemotherapy

87%

Stage II

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%

Stage III

Cancer involves the pelvic sidewall and lower vagina

Radiation and chemotherapy

40%–43%

Stage IV

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

  1. 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.

  2. Waggoner SE (2003). Cervical cancer. Lancet, 361: 2217–2225.

  3. Thigpen T (2003). The role of chemotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the cervix. Cancer Journal, 9(5): 425–432.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

Healthwise Logo
Last updated: September 05, 2008
Author: Bets Davis, MFA
Reviewed By: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Kevin Holcomb, MD - Gynecologic Oncology
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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