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Stages of Endometrial Cancer
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After endometrial cancer has been diagnosed, tests are
done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the uterus or to other
parts of the body.
The process used to find out whether the cancer has spread within the uterus or to other parts of the body
is called staging. The information gathered from the
staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important
to know the stage in
order to plan treatment. Certain tests and procedures are used in the staging process. A hysterectomy (an operation in
which the uterus is removed) will usually be done to help find out how far the
cancer has spread.
The following stages are used for endometrial
cancer:
Stage I
In stage I, cancer is
found in the uterus only. Stage I is divided
into stages IA, IB, and IC, based on how far the cancer has spread.
Stage II
In stage II, cancer has spread from the uterus to the cervix, but has not spread outside the uterus. Stage II
is divided into stages IIA and IIB, based on how far the cancer has spread
into the cervix.
Stage III
In stage III, cancer has spread beyond the uterus and cervix, but has not spread beyond the pelvis. Stage III is divided into
stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC, based on how far the cancer has spread within the pelvis.
Stage IV
In stage IV, cancer has spread beyond the pelvis. Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB,
based on how far the cancer has spread.
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