The most deadly cancer of the female reproductive system is ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer remains a deadly cancer because diagnosis usually occurs when the disease reaches advanced stages. Four stages make up staging for ovarian cancer. Stage one consists of the least amount of disease and is the most survivable. Stage four is the highest stage, with disease spreading throughout the body, and remains incurable.
Definition
The American Cancer Society describes stage IIIC ovarian cancer as cancer of one or both ovaries that has spread to the lymph nodes or tumors measuring larger than 2 cm that have attached to the inner abdomen. Approximately 50 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed as stage three. This occurs because many cases of ovarian cancer cause vague or no symptoms early in the disease.
Survival Time
Survival outcomes vary depending on many individual factors, but overall statistics average all cases of ovarian cancer at a particular stage. The National Cancer Institute reports that five-year survival with stage IIIC ovarian cancer reaches 32 percent. Twenty-two percent of stage IIIC patients will live 10 years or more.
Grade and Histology
Johns Hopkins Pathology reports that the grade of the tumor affects the prognosis of ovarian cancer. The tumor grade refers to abnormal the cancer cell as compared to normal cells and how quickly the cancer cells grow. High-grade tumors grow quickly and are more abnormal, which leads to a poorer prognosis. Histology refers to the type of ovarian cancer cells. There are several kinds of ovarian cancer cells. Survival time varies depending on what type of cancer cells make up the ovarian tumor.
Disease Volume
The volume of disease refers to the amount of cancer left in the body after surgery. At times, surgeons are unable to remove all cancerous tissue. The more cancer left behind, the poorer the prognosis. After initial surgery, disease volume becomes difficult to measure. A blood test called a CA125 is commonly used to determine disease volume. Scans also stand as useful tools to determine disease volume.
Other Factors
Multiple factors affect the prognosis of stage IIIC ovarian cancer. The National Cancer Institute lists age and race as important factors in prognosis. Lower survival is noted in black women and older women. Other factors that affect the prognosis of ovarian cancer include the tumor's response to treatment, overall health of the patient and the tolerance to treatment. Many times with advanced ovarian cancer that has reached stage IIIC, quality of life and long-term survival become central issues.
