Many factors influence a woman’s cervical cancer prognosis. Among them are the early detection of cancerous cells and the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. A woman’s unique health status is another important factor, as is the type of treatment she and her doctors choose. The type and size of the cancerous growth play roles in the prognosis as well.
Early detection is one of the most influential considerations in a cervical cancer prognosis. When this type of cancer is diagnosed early in the disease, a patient's chances for successful treatment are dramatically improved. This is due to the fact that catching cervical cancer in an early stage often means it is confined to the cervix and has not spread to other structures and organs. In such a case, a patient's response to treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be much better. For this reason, pelvic exams and pap smears, which are critical in the diagnosis of cervical cancer, are important for early detection and improved outcomes.
The spread of cancer cells is another influencing factor in a woman's cervical cancer prognosis. In the first stage of cervical cancer, the cancer is confined to the cervix, but in stage two it moves past the cervix but not beyond the pelvis. By stage three, the cancer has invaded the lower part of the patient's vagina, and in some cases, the walls of the pelvis. By stage four, it has invaded other organs. A patient's cervical cancer prognosis is usually much better in the first two stages of the disease when compared to the last two.
A woman's cervical cancer prognosis may also depend on her unique health status. In many cases, a woman who is in good health will respond better to treatment than one with many unresolved health problems. The type of treatment that is applied is important as well. To improve a woman's chance for successful treatment, doctors work hard to match the treatment to the type of cervical cancer and the stage of the disease. Unfortunately, there are some types of cervical cancer that are harder to treat than others.
Tumor size also can play a role in a woman's cervical cancer prognosis. Generally, smaller tumors of the cervix are more likely to respond well to treatment than larger growths. Furthermore, a smaller cancerous growth may have less of a chance of spreading than a larger tumor. In most cases, cancer that has spread is harder to treat than a localized malignancy.