Ovarian cancer stages are used to describe the size of a tumor, whether it has spread beyond the ovary, and, if so, to what extent. Staging is done using results of a surgical biopsy and can also involve results from other tests, such as imaging or blood tests. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage and grade of the disease, which is vital for determining the best course of treatment.
Staging Ovarian Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, the stages of ovarian cancer are:
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Stage I: Cancer cells are found in one or both ovaries. Cancer cells may be found on the surface of the ovaries or in fluid collected from the abdomen.
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Stage II: Cancer cells have spread from one or both ovaries to other tissues in the pelvis. Cancer cells are found on the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or other tissues in the pelvis. Cancer cells may be found in fluid collected from the abdomen.
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Stage III: Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the pelvis or to the regional lymph nodes. Cancer cells may be found on the outside of the liver.
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Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the abdomen and pelvis. Cancer cells may be found inside the liver, in the lungs, or in other organs.
Grading Ovarian Cancer
Grading refers to the appearance of the cancer cells when they are looked at under the microscope as compared to normal cells. The grade gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may develop.
- Grade 1 (low-grade) means the cancer cells look very similar to normal cells of the ovary. These generally grow slowly and are less likely to spread than higher grades.
- Grade 2 (moderate-grade) means the cells look more abnormal than Grade 1 cells.
- Grade-3 (high-grade) means the cells look very abnormal. These are the most likely to grow quickly and spread.
Your doctor may also order additional tests to find out whether the cancer has spread. These may include a computed tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a chest X-ray and/or a lower GI series of X-rays of the colon and rectum, or a colonoscopy to determine if the cancer has spread to the rectum or colon.
Learn More About Ovarian Cancer
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