How are the stages of ovarian cancer determined?

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Detailed cross-sectional illustration of a human ovary showing the stages of follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation, with labeled structures including primordial, primary, secondary, and mature follicles, a ruptured follicle releasing an ovum, and corpus luteum and albicans. An inset at the bottom shows the ovary's location in the female reproductive system. — ovary The steps of ovulation, beginning with a dormant primordial follicle that grows and matures and is eventually released from the ovary into the fallopian tube.

Once a diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed via biopsy, the stage of the disease is determined based on how far the cancer has progressed within the body.1

The staging system is categorized as follows:

Stage I: The cancer is confined within one or both ovaries.
Stage II: The cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder, colon, or rectum.
Stage III: The cancer has metastasized to the abdominal lining or to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant organs.1

Early detection is critical, as the five-year survival rate is extremely high for localized cancers but decreases significantly as the disease progresses to advanced stages.1