Endometrial Cancer Stages
A cancer’s stage explains how large the primary tumor is and how far the cancer has spread in the patient’s body. Doctors use the information to understand the disease and develop a treatment plan.
There are several different staging systems. Many of these have been created for specific kinds of cancers. Others can be used to describe several types of cancer.
The stages of endometrial cancer are set by FIGO, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. They range from stage I to stage IV. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced and generally harder to treat.
Endometrial cancer stages
(Source: National Cancer Institute)
Stage I endometrial cancer
In stage I, cancer is found in the uterus only. Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB, based on how far the cancer has spread.
Stage IA: Cancer is in the endometrium only or less than halfway through the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus).
Stage IB: Cancer has spread halfway or more into the myometrium.
Stage II endometrial cancer
In stage II, cancer has spread into connective tissue of the cervix, but has not spread outside the uterus.
Stage III endometrial cancer
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 IIIA: Cancer has spread to the outer layer of the uterus and/or to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and ligaments of the uterus.
Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to the vagina and/or to the parametrium (connective tissue and fat around the uterus).
Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis and/or around the aorta (largest artery in the body, which carries blood away from the heart).
Stage IV endometrial cancer
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.
Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to the bladder and/or bowel wall.
Stage IVB: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the pelvis, including the abdomen and/or lymph nodes in the groin.