Find a Doctor Find a Doctor
Time to see a specialist? Time to see a specialist?
We found [COUNT] Specialists
who treat [INTEREST]
near [LOCATION]
We found [COUNT] Specialists
who treat [INTEREST]
near [LOCATION]
[TELEHEALTH] offer Telehealth options.
More
Finding the Right Ovarian Cancer Treatment

This content is created by Healthgrades and brought to you by an advertising sponsor. More

This content is created or selected by the Healthgrades editorial team and is funded by an advertising sponsor. The content is subject to the Healthgrades medical review process for accuracy, balance and objectivity. The content is not edited or otherwise influenced by the advertisers appearing on this page except with the possible suggestion of the broad topic area. For more information, read the Healthgrades advertising policy.

An Overview of the Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Medically Reviewed By Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP

The stages of ovarian cancer run from 1–4. Doctors assign a stage based on the size of the primary tumor, whether it affects any lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has spread to distant body sites. Experts typically differentiate each stage by its own symptoms, treatments, and outlook. As the cancer progresses through the stages, treatment might become more difficult.

Read on to learn more about the stages of ovarian cancer.

Stage 1

Two older females greeting each other
Photography by Ashpop/Getty Images

According to the American Cancer Society Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source , stage 1 ovarian cancer remains confined to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes. Though it hasn’t spread to any lymph nodes or distant body areas, it may be present in the fluid of the abdominal or pelvic cavities.

Symptoms

A study from 2020 Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source noted that the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be more likely to appear in the later stages of the disease. They might also be Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source nonspecific, meaning they may resemble the symptoms of other conditions, making the diagnostic process more difficult.

General symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

  • abdominal or pelvic pain
  • abdominal bloating or swelling
  • a sensation of fullness even if you haven’t eaten very much
  • unintended weight loss
  • bowel movement changes
  • back pain
  • fatigue
  • dyspareunia, or pain during sexual intercourse

Treatments

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), surgery is the main treatment for stage 1 ovarian cancer. It usually involves removing the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Your doctor may also recommend chemotherapy after surgery to target any remaining cancer cells.

Outlook

People with early stage cancer may often have a more favorable outlook than people with advanced cancer.

The NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database states that, according to information collected between 2013 and 2019, people with localized ovarian cancer have a 92.4% Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source 5-year relative survival rate. Localized ovarian cancer is cancer that hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or other body sites.

The relative survival rate suggests how long someone with a condition may live after their diagnosis compared to someone without the condition of the same race, sex, and age over a specific time. This is different from the overall survival rate, which is the percentage of people still alive for a specific time after diagnosis of a condition.

It’s most important to remember that figures are estimates, and everyone is different. Talk with your doctor about your specific condition.

Learn 10 things to know about ovarian cancer.

Stage 2

Stage 2 means the cancer has spread outside Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source the ovaries. It’s still not affecting nearby lymph nodes or distant body sites.

Early stage 2 cancers have grown into the uterus. Later stage 2 cancers have spread to other areas or organs in the pelvis, such as the bladder, the sigmoid colon, or the rectum.

Symptoms

Symptoms may still not be apparent at this stage. If they do occur, they can be the same as those listed for stage 1.

Treatments

The NCI notes that stage 2 ovarian cancer may still be early stage, meaning the treatment plan may be similar to stage 1. However, depending on where the cancer has spread, more extensive surgery may be necessary, and you might receive chemotherapy after surgery.

Learn more about ovarian cancer treatment options.

Outlook

Treatment may still be effective for many people at this stage. The SEER database doesn’t provide survival statistics according to the stage. But it shows that survival rates for people whose cancer hasn’t spread to adjacent lymph nodes may still be better Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source  than for those whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

An infographic showing the progression of ovarian cancer through the stages
As ovarian cancer progresses, it spreads to other parts of the body, affecting more organs and tissues. Medical infographic by Maya Chastain.

Stage 3

In stage 3 ovarian cancer, the primary tumor has grown, and cancer cells have spread Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source beyond the pelvis to the abdominal wall or lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen. However, the cancer hasn’t spread to distant lymph nodes or body sites.

Learn more about the substages of stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Symptoms

Ovarian cancer symptoms can be more likely to become apparent at this stage, and the number of symptoms may link Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source to increased disease severity and a reduced outlook.

Treatments

For some people, such as those who don’t feel well enough to undergo surgery, experts may give chemotherapy Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source as the initial treatment before surgery. Presurgery chemotherapy is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

If surgery is an option, doctors usually attempt to remove as much of the cancer as possible, which may involve removing parts of other affected organs like the liver and intestines.

Combination chemotherapy is often necessary after surgery, which means doctors can give more than one chemotherapy medication. To prevent recurrences, some people may also require ongoing maintenance treatments with targeted therapy medications like bevacizumab (Avastin) or olaparib (Lynparza).

Outlook

Because the disease is more severe at this stage, it may be harder to treat. According to the SEER database, the 5-year survival rate for people with regional ovarian cancer is 72.9% Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source . Regional cancer refers to cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 4

Stage 4 ovarian cancer has spread beyond the abdomen. It may be present Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source in the fluid surrounding the lungs, distant lymph nodes, or other distant body sites like the bones.

Learn more about the substages of stage 4 ovarian cancer.

Symptoms

Stage 4 is the most advanced stage. People at this stage may have many of the previously mentioned ovarian cancer symptoms and symptoms related to the sites of cancer spread, such as bone pain.

Treatments

Treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer may involve Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Treatment plans at this stage are typically palliative, meaning they may relieve symptoms and prolong life expectancy.

Outlook

Distant cancer, or cancer that has spread to distant body sites, typically has the least favorable outlook. The 5-year relative survival rate provided by the SEER database is 31.5% Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source .

However, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone is different, and treatments may be more effective for some than others. Additionally, experts are studying new treatments, and future treatment plans may have more options.

Summary

The stages of ovarian cancer run from 1–4, with 1 being the earliest stage and 4 being the most advanced. Each stage has its own treatment approach and outlook.

Discuss your cancer stage and treatment options with your doctor. Together, you can plan the right course of action for you.

Was this helpful?
25

Medical Reviewer: Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP
Last Review Date: 2023 Oct 27
View All Finding the Right Ovarian Cancer Treatment Articles
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.