Staging

The stage of a cancer describes whether the tumor has spread to nearby tissues and other parts of the body. Staging is accomplished during surgery-- the same surgery in which a biopsy is performed and the diagnosis of cancer is confirmed. Staging generally requires removing lymph nodes, samples of tissue from the diaphragm and other organs in the abdomen, and fluid from the abdomen.

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Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Stage I: The cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries. When cancer is diagnosed at this stage, a woman has a 95 percent chance of being cured. However, only 25 percent of ovarian cancer cases are found at Stage I.

Stage IA: The tumor is limited to the inside of only one ovary.

Stage IB: The tumor is limited to the inside of both ovaries.

Stage IC: The tumor is limited to one or both ovaries. In addition, it appears on the surface of the ovary, a fluid-filled capsule has burst, or cancer cells are found in the fluid in the abdomen.

Stage II: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread to other parts of the pelvis.

Stage IIA: The tumor has spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, or both.

Stage IIB: The tumor has spread to the bladder, rectum, or colon.

Stage IIC: The tumor has spread to any of the above. Also, it appears on the surface of the ovary, a fluid-filled capsule has burst, or cancer cells are found in the fluid in the abdomen.

Stage III: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other abdominal organs. This does not include the liver.

Stage IIIA: The tumor has spread to the lining of the abdomen but cannot be seen (it is microscopic). The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIB: The cancer has spread into the abdomen and is visible (less than 2 centimeters, about 3/₄ of an inch, in size). The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIC: The cancer has spread into the abdomen and the deposits measure larger than 2 centimeters. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IV: The cancer has spread to the lung, liver, or other distant organs.

Recurrent ovarian cancer: The cancer has come back after it has been treated. The cancer may appear in other parts of the body, but it is still considered ovarian cancer.