Read on to learn more about the stages of ovarian cancer.
According to the
Symptoms
A
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
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 means the cancer has
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
In stage 3 ovarian cancer, the primary tumor has grown, and cancer cells
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
Treatments
For some people, such as those who don’t feel well enough to undergo surgery, experts
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
Stage 4 ovarian cancer has spread beyond the abdomen. It
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
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
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.
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.