Ovarian Cancer Staging

Staging ovarian cancer is an important step in determining how to treat it. 

Doctors often determine the cancer’s stage through surgical procedures, unless the cancer is obviously widespread. There are four different stages in ovarian cancer.

Stage 1: The cancer is confined to one or both ovaries.

Stage 2: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and is extending into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic tissue.

Stage 3: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread outside the pelvic tissue and into the abdominal tissue.

Stage 4: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread outside the pelvis and abdomen into other organs or areas of the body.

Source: American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

Ovarian Cancer Statistics

Statistics on ovarian cancer are carefully compiled by the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and other government and non-profit agencies. Learn about the symptoms.

Ovarian Cancer in the United States

• Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States.

• The American Cancer Society estimates that about 22,240 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed each year and 14,600 women will die from ovarian cancer.

• Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in women.

46% of women who develop ovarian cancer are still alive after five years.