Ovarian Cancer

Staging Illustrations

The tumor is limited to one or both ovaries.
The tumor is limited to one ovary and has not penetrated the surface. 
The tumor is limited to both ovaries and has not penetrated the surface of either ovary. 
The tumor is limited to one or both ovaries and either the tumor bursts during surgery, or the tumor is on the ovarian surface, or cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluid or in the fluid used to wash out the abdominal cavity. 

The tumor is in one or both ovaries and has spread to other areas in the pelvic region. 
The tumor is in one or both ovaries and has spread to the uterus and/or fallopian tube(s).
The tumor is in one or both ovaries and has spread to other pelvic tissues. 

The tumor is in one or both ovaries (T1), or the tumor is in one or both ovaries and has spread to other areas in the pelvic region (T2), and has spread to nearby lymph nodes. 
The tumor is in one or both ovaries (T3) and has spread microscopically (T3a) to the abdominal tissue (not shown above) and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. 
The tumor is in one or both ovaries (T3), and a tumor 2 cm or less (T3b) has spread beyond the pelvis and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. 
The tumor is one or both ovaries (T3), and a tumor more than 2 cm (T3c) has spread beyond the pelvis and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. 

Stage IV: The tumor may be any size, may have spread to the lymph nodes and has spread to distant parts of the body.
Stage IVA: The tumor may be any size, may have spread to the lymph nodes and has spread to the fluid in the lungs.
Stage IVB: The tumor may be any size, may have spread to the lymph nodes and has spread to distant parts of the body including the liver, spleen, organs outside of the abdomen and intestines.