Stage I-tumor limited to 1 or both ovaries
Stage II- involves 1 or both ovaries with pelvic extension
Stage III-tumor involves 1 or both ovaries with peritoneal metastases and/or metastases outside the pelvis and/or regional lymph node metastases
Stage IV-distant metastases, excluding peritoneal metastases
AJCC Stage Stage grouping FIGO Stage Stage description* I T1
N0
M0 I The cancer is only in the ovary (or ovaries) or fallopian tube(s) (T1).
It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IA T1a
N0
M0 IA The cancer is in one ovary, and the tumor is confined to the inside of the ovary; or the cancer is in one fallopian tube, and is only inside the fallopian tube. There is no cancer on the outer surfaces of the ovary or fallopian tube. No cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings from the abdomen and pelvis (T1a).
It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IB
T1b
N0
M0 IB The cancer is in both ovaries or fallopian tubes but not on their outer surfaces. No cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings from the abdomen and pelvis (T1b). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IC T1c
N0
M0 IC The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes and any of the following are present:
The tissue (capsule) surrounding the tumor broke during surgery, which could allow cancer cells to leak into the abdomen and pelvis (called surgical spill). This is stage IC1. Cancer is on the outer surface of at least one of the ovaries or fallopian tubes or the capsule (tissue surrounding the tumor) has ruptured (burst) before surgery (which could allow cancer cells to spill into the abdomen and pelvis). This is stage IC2. Cancer cells are found in the fluid (ascites) or washings from the abdomen and pelvis. This is stage IC3. It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). II
T2
N0
M0 II The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes and has spread to other organs (such as the uterus, bladder, the sigmoid colon, or the rectum) within the pelvis or there is primary peritoneal cancer (T2). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IIA T2a
N0
M0 IIA The cancer has spread to or has invaded (grown into) the uterus or the fallopian tubes, or the ovaries. (T2a). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IIB T2b
N0
M0 IIB The cancer is on the outer surface of or has grown into other nearby pelvic organs such as the bladder, the sigmoid colon, or the rectum (T2b). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant sites (M0). IIIA1 T1 or T2
N1
M0 IIIA1 The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is primary peritoneal cancer (T1) and it may have spread or grown into nearby organs in the pelvis (T2). It has spread to the retroperitoneal (pelvic and/or para-aortic) lymph nodes only. It has not spread to distant sites (M0). IIIA2 T3a
N0 or N1
M0 IIIA2 The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs outside the pelvis. During surgery, no cancer is visible in the abdomen (outside of the pelvis) to the naked eye, but tiny deposits of cancer are found in the lining of the abdomen when it is examined in the lab (T3a).
The cancer might or might not have spread to retroperitoneal lymph nodes (N0 or N1), but it has not spread to distant sites (M0). IIIB T3b
N0 or N1
M0 IIIB There is cancer in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs outside the pelvis. The deposits of cancer are large enough for the surgeon to see, but are no bigger than 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) across. (T3b).
It may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (N0 or N1), but it has not spread to the inside of the liver or spleen or to distant sites (M0). IIIC T3c
N0 or N1
M0 IIIC The cancer is in one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, or there is primary peritoneal cancer and it has spread or grown into organs outside the pelvis. The deposits of cancer are larger than 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) across and may be on the outside (the capsule) of the liver or spleen (T3c).
It may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (N0 or N1), but it has not spread to the inside of the liver or spleen or to distant sites (M0). IVA Any T
Any N
M1a IVA Cancer cells are found in the fluid around the lungs (called a malignant pleural effusion) with no other areas of cancer spread such as the liver, spleen, intestine, or lymph nodes outside the abdomen (M1a). IVB Any T
Any N
M1b IVB The cancer has spread to the inside of the spleen or liver, to lymph nodes other than the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and/or to other organs or tissues outside the peritoneal cavity such as the lungs and bones (M1b).
- The following additional categories are not described in the table above:
TX: Main tumor cannot be assessed due to lack of information T0: No evidence of a primary tumor. NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed due to lack of information.