Table 1.

Ovarian cancer staging parameters as defined by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) [9].

Stage	Substrate	Description
I	Ia	The tumor is confined to one ovary with no signs of tumor on the surface
	Ib	As Ia but involving both ovaries
	Ic	The tumor is confined to one or both ovaries with either or all the following: signs of the tumor on the surface of the ovary, rupture of tumor capsule before or during surgery, malignant cells found in ascites
II	IIa	Metastasis outside the ovaries in the uterus or fallopian tubes
	IIb	Metastasis to pelvic cavity organs for example the bladder
III	IIIa	Metastasis to retroperitoneal lymph nodes or microscopic malignancy found outside the pelvis
	IIIb	Tumor smaller than or equal to 2cm found outside the pelvic cavity including surface of liver and/or spleen
	IIIc	Tumor bigger than 2cm found outside the pelvic cavity including surface of liver and/or spleen
IV	IVa	Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) positive for malignant cells
	IVb	Metastasis to distant sites including extra-abdominal and parenchymal liver or spleen involvement