Ovarian cancer affects thousands of women every year. As ovarian cancer spreads, its stages increase, too. In the initial stage, ovarian cancer is only limited to female reproductive organs; later, it progresses to other parts of the body.
Early detection of ovarian cancer is not easy, as its symptoms are often associated with minor health concerns.
At the initial stage, women may feel bloated, pain, constant discomfort around the lower part of the stomach, loss of appetite, issues with digestion, and irregularities in menstruation.
All these early signs of ovarian cancer are often misjudged and related to other health concerns. Because of this, ovarian cancer is usually detected in the last stage, that is, 3rd or 4th stage. By the time ovarian cancer is discovered, it becomes too hard to treat ovarian cancer.
Treatment for each ovarian stage varies. Therefore, understanding the different stages of ovarian cancer is very crucial.
This detailed guide covers all four ovarian cancer stages. Also, we discuss various ovarian cancer types commonly diagnosed in women. But don’t worry, cervical cancer specialists have several treatment options. Keep reading with us for more information!
Stages of Ovarian Cancer: A Detailed Guide
A deadly form of cancer, often called a silent killer, is ovarian cancer. It has four stages: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The later the stages, the worse it gets.
Knowing which stage you’re at is vital. Ahmedabad’s top cancer doctors, like Dr. Aditi Bhatt, rely on this to determine treatment. Below, we outline these four stages.
Stage 1: Early-stage ovarian cancer
Stage 1 of ovarian cancer is often called an early stage in which ovarian cancer has only been confined to ovaries and has not spread to other parts of the body. In the early stage, surgery is often done to treat ovarian cancer. Stage 1 ovarian cancer can also be classified into three sub-stages:
- Stage 1A: In this sub-stage, ovarian cancer has only affected one ovary and fallopian tube. Mostly detected due to pain and discomfort.
- Stage 1B: The second subtype is 1B, where ovarian cancer has affected both ovaries along with the fallopian tube.
- Stage 1C: The last and more advanced stage of 1 is 1C, where ovarian cancer has not just affected both ovaries and fallopian tubes; it has ruptured or broken through the ovarian wall and has started to spread to other parts, mainly the abdomen.
Stage 2: Advanced ovarian stage
This is the second stage of ovarian cancer, where the cancer cells start to spread to other parts of the body apart from the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In this stage, ovarian cancer affects the uterus, stomach, and other pelvic organs. This stage is too classified into two sub-stages.
- Stage 2A: In this stage, ovarian cancer affects the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
- Stage 2B: In this sub-stage, ovarian cancer not only affects the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes but also affects pelvic organs and bladder.
Stage 3: Locally advanced cancer
This stage is more advanced than the other two stages as in this stage, ovarian cancer is not limited to the ovaries, stomach, and bladder but also affects the pelvis to the abdominal lining, lymph nodes, or both. This stage is again classified into A, B, and C.
- Stage 3A: Cancer cells affect the abdominal lining, which is often referred to as lymph nodes. In this stage, ovarian cancer is detected through abdominal lining tissues.
- Stage 3B: In this cancer, cells grow up to 2 cm and become more visible.
- Stage 3C: In this sub-stage, ovarian cancer grows bigger and becomes more noticeable in other organs.
Stage 4: Metastatic ovarian cancer
The last stage of ovarian cancer is the most advanced and challenging to treat. This is where ovarian cancer starts to spread to other distinct parts of bodies, like the liver and lymph nodes outside the stomach lining or lungs. Stage 4 is again subdivided into two types:
- Stage 4A: In this stage, ovarian cancer is found in the lungs, and patients have difficulty in breathing.
- Stage 4B: Lastly, in stage 4B, ovarian cancer is detected in the liver, lungs, or lymph nodes outside the abdomen.
Also Read on: Self-Care Tips for Ovarian Cancer Patients
Types of Ovarian Cancer
There are three main types of ovarian cancer.
Depending on where cancer cells start developing, ovarian cancer is identified accordingly. Here are three main types of ovarian cancer.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
This is the most common ovarian cancer that accounts for 90% of ovarian cancer cases. In this, ovarian cancer is detected or develops in epithelial cells (thin layer of tissue outside ovaries). Common symptoms of epithelial ovarian cancer could include bloating, pelvic pain, and indigestion.
Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer
This is the second rare type of ovarian cancer that accounts for around 2 to 4 percent of ovarian cancer cases. This type of ovarian cancer develops in germ cells and is also easy to detect in the early stages. Germ cell ovarian cancer often affects women in their early 20s.
Stromal Ovarian Cancer
The last ovarian cancer is stromal, which is another rare ovarian cancer type that accounts for 5 to 6 percent of ovarian cancer. This cancer is diagnosed in estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for producing hormone cells.
Treatment varies by stage and type, ranging from surgery to advanced therapies. Dr. Aditi Bhatt, a leading ovarian cancer specialist in Ahmedabad, specializes in personalized treatment plans for ovarian cancer patients.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Early Detection and Expert Care
Overall, ovarian cancer symptoms vary according to the stages and types of ovarian cancer. Early detection is difficult as its symptoms are misidentified to other minor health problems.
Each type of ovarian cancer affects a different kind of organ. In short, it is crucial to consult a specialist who can offer advanced treatment options.
Dr. Aditi Bhatt, a renowned ovarian cancer doctor in Ahmedabad, has extensive experience in treating ovarian cancer with a patient-centered approach, making it easier for you to recover from ovarian cancer.
