Table 3: Reflection of the FIGO classification of cervical cancer to describe the spread of the cancer cells at presentation [20].

Stage Description
0 Carcinoma in situ, intraepithelial neoplasia.
I Carcinoma confined to the cervix.
Ia Pre-clinical carcinoma that is diagnosed only by microscopy.
Ia1 Stromal invasion no deeper than 3 mm and no wider than 7 mm in extension (so-called micro invasive carcinoma).
Ia2 Maximum depth of invasion of stroma deeper than 3 mm and no deeper than 5 mm taken from the base of the epithelium; horizontal invasion not more than 7 mm.
Ib Histologically invasive carcinoma confined to the cervix and greater than stage Ia2.
Ib1/2 Tumour is clinically visible and greater than 4 cm.
IIa Carcinoma extends beyond the cervix but not onto the pelvic wall. Carcinoma involves the vagina but not the lower third.
IIa1/2 Tumour is clinically visible and greater than 4 cm.
III Carcinoma has extended onto the pelvic wall. On rectal examination, there is no cancer-free space between the tumour and the pelvic wall. The tumour involves the lower third of the vagina.
IIIa Tumour involves the lower third of the vagina with no extension to the pelvic side wall.
IIIb Extension to the pelvic side wall or causing obstructive uropathy.
IV Carcinoma has extended beyond the true pelvis or has clinically involved the mucosa of the bladder or rectum. This stage also includes cancers with metastatic dissemination that is spread to other organs.
Iva Extension beyond pelvis or rectal/bladder invasion.
IVb Distant organ spread.