Ovarian Cancer Staging
Ovarian cancer staging is determined by your doctor at the time of surgery. The different stages describe the level of tumor cell involvement and how widespread the cancer is. Individuals with ovarian cancer are frequently diagnosed at Stage IIIC. This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are often ignored or misdiagnosed until urgent issues arise.
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The Stages Of Ovarian Cancer
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
Ovarian Cancer Staging - Effective January 1, 2014
“Stage I
Tumor confined to ovaries.
Stage IA
Tumor limited to one ovary, capsule intact, no tumor on surface, negative washings.
Stage IB
Tumor involves both ovaries otherwise like IA.
Stage IC
The tumor is limited to one or both ovaries:
IC1 - Surgical spill; IC2 - Capsule rupture before surgery or tumor on ovarian surface; IC3 - Malignant cells in the ascites or peritoneal washings.
Stage II
Tumor involves 1 or both ovaries with pelvic extension (below pelvic brim) or primary peritoneal cancer.
Stage IIA
Extension and/or implant on uterus and/or Fallopian tubes.
Stage IIB
Extension to other pelvic intraperitoneal tissues.
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Stage III
Tumor involves 1 or both ovaries with cytologically or histologically confirmed spread to the peritoneum outside the pelvis and/or metastasis to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
Stage IIIA – Positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes and/or microscopic metastasis beyond the pelvis.
Stage IIIA1
Positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes only.
Stage IIIA2
Microscopic, extrapelvic (above the brim) peritoneal involvement ± positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
Stage IIIB
Macroscopic, extrapelvic, peritoneal metastasis (<) less than 2 cm ± positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Includes extension to capsule of liver/spleen.
Stage IIIC
Macroscopic, extrapelvic, peritoneal metastasis (>) greater than 2 cm ± positive retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Includes extension to capsule of liver/spleen.
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Stage IV
Distant metastasis excluding peritoneal metastasis.
Stage IVA
Pleural effusion with positive cytology.
Stage IVB
Hepatic and/or splenic parenchymal metastasis, metastasis to extra-abdominal organs (including inguinal lymph nodes and lymph nodes outside of the abdominal cavity).
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Other major recommendations are as follows:
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Histologic type including grading should be designated at staging.
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Primary site (ovary, Fallopian tube or peritoneum) should be designated where possible.
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Tumors that may otherwise qualify for stage I but involved with dense adhesions justify upgrading to stage II if tumor cells are histologically proven to be present in the adhesions.”
Source:
https://www.sgo.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/FIGO-Ovarian-Cancer-Staging_1.10.14.pdf
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Recurrent ovarian cancer
This means that the disease went away with treatment but then came back (recurred).