Locally advanced cervical cancer commonly metastasizes to which regions?

Locally advanced cervical cancer commonly metastasizes to which regions?

• A. Lungs and bones
• B. Vagina, parametrium, and pelvic lymph nodes
• C. Brain
• D. Liver

Answer: (B)

Locally advanced cervical cancer tends to spread to nearby structures and regional lymph nodes before it spreads to distant organs. The tumor can extend directly into the vagina and into the surrounding parametrium, and it commonly drains to pelvic lymph nodes. This pattern—local extension into the vagina and parametrium plus pelvic nodal involvement—fits the locoregional spread seen in locally advanced disease. Distant metastases, such as to the lungs, liver, or bones, occur later and signify more widespread disease. So, involvement of the vagina, parametrium, and pelvic lymph nodes best represents locally advanced spread.

Locally advanced cervical cancer tends to spread to nearby structures and regional lymph nodes before it spreads to distant organs. The tumor can extend directly into the vagina and into the surrounding parametrium, and it commonly drains to pelvic lymph nodes. This pattern—local extension into the vagina and parametrium plus pelvic nodal involvement—fits the locoregional spread seen in locally advanced disease. Distant metastases, such as to the lungs, liver, or bones, occur later and signify more widespread disease. So, involvement of the vagina, parametrium, and pelvic lymph nodes best represents locally advanced spread.