Diagnosis and staging of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the third most common gynecological cancer worldwide, with more than 85% of the global burden noted in developing countries [1]. To facilitate communication between practitioners, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging of cervical cancer is based on physical and pelvic examinations and is mainly clinical (minimal invasive procedures including cystoscopy, proctoscopy and intravenous pyelography are optional) [2]. Differential diagnoses of preinvasive or invasive cervical neoplasms are important, while the extent of lymph node metastasis is crucial for devising a prognosis and treatment plan. This chapter summarizes the basic principles of the diagnosis and staging of cervical cancer and describes the role of imaging techniques on this topic. The issues of surgical staging in cervical cancer are also discussed.