Cervical cancer stages range from stage I to stage IV. As a rule, the lower the number, the less widespread the cancer is. Higher numbers, like stage IV, mean the cancer is more advanced. And within a stage, the letter before the number means the lower the stage.

Common treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, or surgery with radiation. When cervical cancer has spread beyond the cervix, targeted treatments may also be used. So, what factors will doctors rely on to determine which method is appropriate for each patient?