The American Cancer Society reports that the number one most deadly reproductive cancer for women is ovarian cancer. The mortality rate of this cancer closely relates to the stage at diagnosis. Most ovarian cancers are found in advanced stages of the disease because early disease is often asymptomatic. When cancer spreads to other structures in the body the prognosis becomes more grave. Early detection of ovarian cancer remains the key to long-term survival of the disease.
Stage I
There are three subcategories of stage one ovarian cancer. Stage IA describes cancer that occurs in one ovary, with no spread. Stage IB consists of tumor growth of both ovaries with no growth outside the ovary. Stage IC describes a tumor that has not spread to other structures, but fluid in the abdomen has been found to contain cancerous cells. Johns Hopkins Pathology Center reports that the five-year survival rate for this stage of cancer reaches about 90 percent.
Stage II
Stage II ovarian cancer also consists of three subcategories that describe the disease. Stage IIA consists of cancer that has spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes. Stage IIB describes cancer that has spread into the pelvis. Stage IIC describes local spread of stages IIA or IIB, and cancerous cells found in fluid in the abdomen. Cancer Monthly reports that five-year survival rate for stage II ovarian cancer is 70 percent. Despite the high survival rates, only 10 percent of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at this stage.
Stage III
According to Johns Hopkins Pathology Center, over half of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at stage III. Three subcategories also make up stage III ovarian cancer. Stage IIIA consists of the spread of cancer into the pelvis, but not the lymph nodes. Stage IIIB consists of cancer that has spread to the abdominal wall and is 2 centimeters or less, but has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IIIC describes tumors that have spread to the abdominal wall that measure larger than 2 centimeters, or has spread to surrounding lymph nodes. Prognosis becomes poorer at this stage, and five-year survival reaches only 15 to 20 percent.
Stage IV
Stage IV ovarian cancer describes cancer that spreads into lymph nodes or other structures in the abdomen or beyond. Sites of possible spread include liver, lungs, and spleen. Spread to the brain is rare. Approximately 15 percent of ovarian cancer cases diagnosed are at stage IV disease, which is incurable. Five-year survival for this stage only reaches between 1 and 5 percent.
Other Factors Effecting Prognosis
Although survival rate averages reflect survival of the whole population, several factors effect individual prognosis. The Core Cirruculum of Oncology Nursing includes the amount the cancer cells have mutated and the amount of cancer remaining after surgery as important factors in ovarian cancer prognosis. Other factors that influence survival include age, race, genetics, and how the cancer responds to treatment.
References
- Johns Hopkins Pathology: Ovarian Cancer
- Cancer Monthly: Ovarian Cancer
- American Cancer Society: What Are the Key Statistics of Ovarian Cancer?
- "Core Curriculum on Oncology Nursing"; Joanne Itano Ph.D. & Karen Taoka MSN; 2005
