| Stage |
Description |
| Stage |
Description |
| Stage I |
Growth of the cancer is limited to the ovary or ovaries. |
| Ia |
Growth is limited to one ovary and the tumour is confined to the inside of the ovary. There is no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There are no ascites present containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact. |
| Ib |
Growth is limited to both ovaries without any tumour on their outer surfaces. There are no ascites present containing malignant cells. The capsule is intact. |
| Ic |
The tumour is classified as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following are present: (1) tumour is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries; (2) the capsule has ruptured; and (3) there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings. |
| Stage II |
Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension. |
| IIa |
Disease spread to involve the fallopian tubes and/or uterus . |
| IIb |
The cancer has extended to other pelvic organs. |
| IIc |
The tumour is classified as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following are present: (1) tumour is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries;(2) the capsule has ruptured; and (3) there are ascites containing malignant cells or with positive peritoneal washings. |
| Stage III |
Growth of the cancer involves one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following are present: (1) the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen; and (2) the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The tumour is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum. |
| IIIa |
During the staging operation, the practitioner can see cancer involving one or both of the ovaries. No cancer is grossly but microscopic visible in the abdomen and it has not spread to lymph nodes. |
| IIIb |
The tumour is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are present in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to see but not exceeding 2 cm in diameter. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. |
| IIIc |
The tumour is in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present: (1) the cancer has spread to lymph nodes; (2) the deposits of cancer exceed 2 cm in diameter and are found in the abdomen. |
| Stage IV |
Disease affecting the liver parenchyma, thorax or more distally |
