Understanding Your Stage and Grade of Uterine Sarcoma
Stage is the word doctors use to describe the extent of the cancer. Each type of cancer can be classified based on whether or not the cancer has spread at the time the cancer was diagnosed. Stage is determined based on surgical findings and sometimes by the use of x-ray studies (like a chest x-ray or CT scan).
A modified version of the FIGO staging system is most commonly used for different types of uterine sarcoma. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics developed this system. The FIGO system uses 4 numbers. Each is described here.
Stage I. The cancer is only in the body of the uterus. The body is called the corpus.
Stage II. The cancer has spread from the uterus to the cervix. The cervix is the lower end of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Stage III. The cancer has spread from the uterus. But it is still only in the pelvic area.
Stage IV. The cancer has spread beyond the pelvic area.
Cancer can also recur. This means that the disease can come back after it was treated.
