The early stages of cervical cancer do not show any signs or symptoms. It only gets noticeable as cancer progresses. It is very important to diagnose the stages, severity, and types of cervical cancer, as based on them, doctors can decide the methods of treatments for cervical cancer. Additionally, with the symptoms, doctors also carry out various medical tests to diagnose the presence of cervical cancer and its stages.

1. Different stages of cervical cancer
The stages of cancer refer to the spread of this disease to other parts of the body. Organizations such as the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) have developed systems based on the spread of the tumor affecting any lymph nodes, and also the distant spread to stage this form of cancer. As mentioned earlier, staging is important in determining the treatments for cervical cancer.

Generally, there are five stages of this type of cancer:

• Stage 0
  Abnormal cells appear on the surface of the cervix. FIGO does not include this stage in its system and it is expressed as Carcinoma in situ.
• Stage 1
  The presence of a small tumor is found, which has not yet spread to any of the other organs, distant areas or lymph nodes.
• Stage 2
  The tumor spreads beyond the uterus and cervix. However, it has not yet affected the lower part of the vagina or the walls of the pelvic region.
• Stage 3
  The cancer cells spread to lower parts of the vagina or the pelvic walls. It might block the ureter, but the cancer has not spread to any other part of the body.
• Stage 4
  In this most advanced stage, cancer spreads to the rectum, urinary bladder or other parts of the body.

2. Medical examinations to identify the stages of cancer
The following medical examinations are carried out to confirm the stages of cancer, as it is vital for the treatments of cervical cancer.

• Imaging tests
  Doctors carry out tests such as CT scan, PET scan, and MRI to detect whether the cancer cells have spread beyond the cervical region.
• Visual examination of the rectum and urinary bladder
  Doctors might use various methods to view the inside of the rectum and the bladder.

3. Symptoms of cervical cancer
Doctors rely on both, symptoms and medical tests, to diagnose and provide treatments for cervical cancer. The various symptoms associated with this type of cancer are-

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding in between periods, post-menopause or after sexual intercourse
• Pain in the pelvic region or during sexual intercourse
• Bloody and watery or, sometimes, heavy vaginal discharge, accompanied by a foul smell

The spread of cancer to the nearby tissues could be detected from the following symptoms:

• Pain while urinating and blood in the urine
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation, diarrhea, pain or bleeding from the rectum during defecation
• Swelling in the legs
• Dull pain in the back
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite as well as weight loss

Along with the symptoms, the following tests will also help in diagnosing this type of cancer, which is important for the treatment of cervical cancer.

• Punch biopsy to collect samples of cervical tissue for testing in the laboratory.
• Endocervical curettage using a curet to collect a tissue sample from the cervix.

All these above-mentioned symptoms and medical tests help in diagnosing different stages of this type of cancer so that proper treatment methods can be followed.