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The symptoms of stage 4 cervical cancer can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases, so if you experience these symptoms, please see your gynecologist soon.
Kathryn E. Vinson, MS, CCRC
Stage 4 Cervical Cancer – Remember in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels when Steve Martin says that ladies have it easier – after all – we have fewer prostate problems? Well, he was right on the prostate issue, obviously; however, we ladies do have our own specific problems in the form of breast (yes, men do get breast cancer too), ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. What I think is perhaps the scariest part of these “lady cancers” is their propensity to be silent.
The nursing mother that feels a lump, but thinks is just a swollen milk duct.
The woman that has always had heavy or irregular periods, so doesn’t recognize the abnormal bleeding.
One of these terrifying cancers, cervical cancer, is very sneaky. With symptoms not varying tremendously from stage 1 to stage 4, it is easy to see how it can progress virtually unnoticed.
In its early stages, cervical cancer can be difficult for patients to identify, but its symptoms can include:
The best way to catch cervical cancer in its earliest stages is to have regular Pap tests done by your physician. Pap tests look for abnormal cells, sometimes referred to as dypslasias. Many physicians will also order an HPV test, which will look for the presence of that virus in the cervical cells. For more information about HPV and cervical cancer, take a look at our article “Vaccinating Against Cancer.”
There are two main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (which accounts for roughly 90% of all cervical cancers) and adenocarcinoma. The main difference in these cancers is where the dysplasia originates – on the outside of the cervix where it meets the vagina, the exocervix (squamous cell carcinoma), or on the inside, canal-like portion of the cervix known as the endocervix (adenocarcinoma). Mixed cell cervical cancer is possible, but far less common that the single cell types.
As with other cancers, the survival rate of cervical cancer is highest when it is caught early, with the stage 4 cervical cancer survival rate being as low as 15%. Five-year survival rates for all cervical cancer stages are seen below:
StageSurvival Rate0 (pre-cancerous lesions)93%1A/1B93%/80%2A/2B63%/58%3A/3B35%/32%4A/4B16%/15%
In stage 4A cervical cancer, the disease has spread to the bladder or rectum, but has not yet infiltrated the lymph nodes or organs in other areas of the body; stage 4B cervical cancer sees the disease in other areas of the body besides the pelvis.
Treatment options for cervical cancer vary by stage, as is the case with most cancers. The stages of cervical cancer indicate how deep the cancer has reached in the cervix, pelvic cavity, beyond the pelvic organs, and to the lymph nodes. Keep in mind these are typical treatments, and actual treatments may vary based on a variety of factors.
As always, much love, abundant blessings, and many prayers to all of the cancer warriors and their families.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/treating/by-stage.html
https://www.cancercenter.com/cervical-cancer/stages/tab/tnm-system/
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