Stages of ovarian cancer

If you have ovarian cancer, you might be told it’s at a certain stage. This describes whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and how far. Knowing the stage of the cancer helps you and your doctors to decide on the best treatment for you.

• Stage 1: The cancer is only in one or both ovaries and has not spread.
• Stage 2: The cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread to nearby organs in the pelvis such as uterus (womb), fallopian tubes, bladder and bowel.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to outside the pelvis to other parts of the abdomen or nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the pelvis and abdomen, such as the lungs or liver – this is also known as metastatic cancer. 

With all stages of ovarian cancer, there are options of treatment and support that can help you.