Stage 1 Ovarian Cancer

Stage I ovarian cancer is the lowest level of cancer, found in one or more ovaries, and it is very difficult to diagnose. It is used as part of the prognosis made by a doctor. Stage I ovarian cancer is then further defined by the TNM determination rating system. TNM is defined to mean to tumor size, node inclusion, metastasis or spread status and grade of the tumor. It will ultimately let doctors known how long a patient has to live and whether they will survive. These factors include:

Stage I ovarian cancer is then further defined by the TNM determination rating system. TNM is defined to mean to tumor size, node inclusion, metastasis or spread status and grade of the tumor. Each part is defined as follows:

Tumor size

T1: the tumor is in one (or both) ovary

T1a: the tumor is only inside one ovary, not spread to the outer surface; the tumor has not split; no cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T1b: the tumor is only inside both ovaries, not spread to the outer surface; the tumor has not split; no cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T1c: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor has split; the tumor has spread to the ovary’s surface; and/or cancerous cells have been found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T2: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread include the pelvic region

T2a: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes the fallopian tubes and/or the uterus; no cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T2b: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region; no cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T2c: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region; cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T3: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region, outside the pelvic region and lymph node (s); cancerous cells are found in the abdominal fluids (ascites) or the abdominal cavity washes (peritoneal lavage)

T3a: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region, outside the pelvic region and beyond the pelvic region

T3b: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region, outside the pelvic region and beyond the pelvic region that are now a maximum size of up to 2cm, and can be seen without a microscope

T3c: the tumor is inside one (or both) ovary; the tumor spread includes tissues in the pelvic region, outside the pelvic region and beyond the pelvic region that is now a 2cm or more in size, and can be seen easily

Node inclusion

N0: the tumor has not spread to include the local lymph nodes

N1: the tumor has spread to include the lymph nodes

Metastasis or spread determination

M0: no metastases have been found anywhere

M1: metastases have been found somewhere

Grade of the tumor

The grading of a tumor shows the maturity of the cancerous cells inside the ovary (s). Though there are variations in this system around the world, the common grades include:

Grade 1: varied cells, mainly normal cells; a few cancerous cells are present

Grade 2: a combination of both normal and cancerous cells; cancerous cells account for about every other cell

Grade 3: very few normal cells if any are left; most or all cells are cancerous

The lower the grade, the slower a tumor will grow, and the better the patient’s chance of survival. The higher the grade, the quicker the tumor may grow or spread, and the chances of survival are greatly diminished.

Stage groupings

The stage groupings are used to show the order of the varied factors included in the TNM determination rating system. They are grouped into four sections:

Stage I

Stage Ia: T1a, N0, M0

Stage Ib: T1b, N0, M0

Stage Ic: T1c, N0, M0

Stage II

Stage IIa: T2a, N0, M0

Stage IIb: T2b, N0, M0

Stage IIc: T2c, N0, M0

Stage III

Stage IIIa: T3a, N0, M0

Stage IIIb: T3b, N0, M0

Stage IIIc: T3c, N0, M0, or T(varied), N1, M0

Stage IV

Stage IV: T(varied), N(varied), M1

Once a tumor has been designated as Stage I at the point of diagnosis, it remains so for the duration of the disease. The other factors can change accordingly allowing the medical professionals to monitor the progression of the cancer.