Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the ovary that begin to multiply out of control and form a tumor. In case it is left untreated the tumor can spread to other parts of the body. This is also known as metastatic ovarian cancer.
Stages of ovarian cancer
There are four stages:
Stage 1
- Stage 1A: The cancer is restricted or localized to one of the ovaries.
- Stage 1B: The cancer is present in both the ovaries.
- Stage 1C: The cancerous cells are also present outside of the ovary.
Stage 2
Tumor spreads to other pelvic structures.
- Stage 2A: The cancerous cells are spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes.
- Stage 2B: The cancer cells have spread to the bladder or rectum.
Stage 3
- Stage 3A: It has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen and to the lymph nodes in the abdomen.
- Stage 3B: The cancerous cells have spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen which is visible to bare eyes.
- Stage 3C: The deposits of cancer are seen on the abdomen or outside the spleen or liver. But, the cancer isn’t present in the spleen or liver.
Stage 4
The tumor has metastasized beyond the pelvis, abdomen and lymph nodes to the liver or lungs.
- In stage 4A: The cells are in the fluid around the lungs.
- In stage 4B: It is the most advanced stage; the cells have reached inside the spleen, liver or even other distant organs like skin or brain.