What Are the Stages of Ovarian Cancer?

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Maurie Markman, MD
Vice President, Clinical Research
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas

Stages of cancer relate to how far the cancer has spread in your body. The higher the stage number, the more widespread is the cancer. These stages are important to determining the type of treatment you will receive.

Following surgical removal of ovarian cancer, a final stage is given.

• Stage I - means that cancer is found only in one or both of the ovaries. Cancer cells may also be found in abdominal fluid, or ascites (abnormal amount of fluid in the abdomen). The cancer has not spread to other pelvic or abdominal organs, lymph nodes, or sites outside of the abdomen.
• Stage II - means that cancer is found in the ovaries and has spread to the uterus (womb), the fallopian tubes, or other parts within the pelvis. Cancer cells may also be found in abdominal fluid, or ascites. The cancer has not spread to the upper abdomen, lymph nodes, or sites outside the abdomen.
• Stage III - indicates cancer is found in the ovaries and has spread to other body locations within the abdomen, such as the surface of the liver, intestine (bowel), or lymph nodes. The cancer has not spread to sites outside the abdomen or inside the liver.
• Stage IV - cancer is found in the ovaries and has spread outside the abdomen or inside of the liver.
• Recurrent or refractory - recurrent disease means that the cancer has returned (recurred) after it has been treated. Refractory disease means the cancer is no longer responding to specific types of treatment.