Stages of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer usually has 4 stages, the average 5-year relative survival rate is nearly 50%, and can be cured if detected early.

According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, ovarian cancer is divided into four stages. In stage 1, cancer cells are in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. In stage 1A, cancer is limited to one ovary or to one fallopian tube. In stage 1B, the tumor is in both ovaries or is in multiple fallopian tubes.

Stage 1C, cancer cells are still in the ovaries and fallopian tubes but may be accompanied by other conditions. Tissue (cysts) around the tumor rupture causing fluid to overflow, cancer cells may leak into the abdomen and pelvis (stage 1C1). The tumor grows on the outer surface of the ovaries or fallopian tubes (1C2). Cancer cells are found in fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and pelvis (1C3).

When ovarian cancer is in stage two, tumor cells have spread beyond the ovary or fallopian tube to nearby pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum) or the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a continuous layer of serous tissue that covers the inside of the abdominal wall, enclosing all the organs of the digestive tract and other organs in the abdominal cavity.

In stage 3 cancer, the tumor has spread to lymph nodes outside the pelvis or to lymph nodes next to the aorta outside the peritoneum. Cancer cells may also have spread or grown into organs outside the pelvis. In stage 3A, imaging tests may show small cancer cells in the lining of the abdomen.

Stage 3B, the condition is similar to stage 3A but the tumors are larger and no larger than two centimeters. Stage 3C, the cancerous tumors are larger than two centimeters and may be on the outside (capsular) of the liver or spleen.

Stage 4 ovarian cancer is metastatic. In stage 4A, tumor cells may appear in the fluid around the lungs, called malignant pleural effusion. In stage 4B, cancer has spread into the spleen or liver, to lymph nodes far from the peritoneum, or to other organs and tissues such as the lungs or bones.

To diagnose the disease, your doctor will perform tests and surgery to take tissue samples from your pelvis, abdomen, or elsewhere in your body.

According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer diagnosed and treated in its early stages has the best outcomes and prognosis. Women treated for this cancer in stages 1A and 1B have a 5-year survival rate of up to 93.1%. However, many women are diagnosed when the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries. Because in its early stages, this type of cancer often has no symptoms or symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain, it is easy to confuse with other health conditions.

For stages two and three (regional cancer), the 5-year relative survival rate after diagnosis is 74.2%. When ovarian cancer is in the metastatic (late) stage, the 5-year relative survival rate drops to 30.8%.

The 5-year relative survival rate for all stages is 49.7%. Other factors that can affect survival include overall health, age, and how well a patient responds to treatment. The low 5-year survival rate may be due to delays in treatment and difficulty diagnosing ovarian cancer in its early stages.

These statistics are for women diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer from 2012 to 2018. New drugs and advanced treatments are now available that can help extend the life of patients.

Mai Cat (According to Everyday Health )

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