Staging and Treatment

Staging

• IA – Cancer is limited to one ovary and the tumor is confined to the inside of the ovary. (No cancer exists on the outer surface of the ovary.) There is no ascites (the condition of pathologic fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity) present containing malignant cells. The surface of the tumor is unruptured.
• IB – Cancer is limited to both ovaries without any tumor on their outer surfaces. There is no ascites present containing malignant cells. The surface of the tumor is unruptured.
• IC – The tumor is classified as either Stage IA or IB and one or more of the following conditions exist:
  • tumor is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries;
  • at least one of the tumors has ruptured;
  • there is ascites present or abdominal (peritoneal) washings containing malignant cells.

• IIA – The cancer has extended to and/or involves the uterus or the fallopian tubes or both.
• IIB – The cancer has extended to the bladder or rectum.
• IIC – The tumor is classified as either Stage IIA or IIB and one or more of the following conditions exist:
  • a tumor is present on the outer surface of one or both ovaries;
  • at least one of the tumors has ruptured;
  • there is ascites containing malignant cells or with abdominal (peritoneal) washings containing malignant cells.

• the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen;
• the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The tumor is limited to the true pelvis but with histologically-proven malignant extension to the small bowel or omentum (peritoneum fold).

• IIIA – During the staging operation, the practitioner can see cancer involving one or both of the ovaries, but no cancer is grossly visible in the abdomen and it has not spread to the lymph nodes. However, biopsies
• IIIB – The tumor is in one or both ovaries, and deposits of cancer are present in the abdomen that are large enough for the surgeon to see but not exceeding 2 cm in diameter. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• IIIC – The tumor can be seen in one or both ovaries, and one or both of the following is present:
  • the cancer has spread to lymph nodes;
  • the deposits of cancer exceed 2 cm in diameter and are found in the abdomen.

Treatment

Trying to navigate and understand treatment options is critical. The Alliance works not only in raising awareness about ovarian cancer, but also in increasing patients' knowledge about the myriad of treatment options and where to find information about these options.

Surgery – To remove all visible tumors, often called tumor debulking. Studies show that outcomes appear better for women whose surgery has been performed by a gynecologic oncologist. (A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs.) Five-year survival and disease-free intervals for patients whose surgeon was a gynecologic oncologist far surpass the five-year survival rate of patients whose doctor was a non-oncologist, obstetrician/gynecologist.

Chemotherapy – To kill any cancer cells that may remain in the body. Standard treatment usually requires six cycles Taxol, a taxane, and a platinum drug – either carboplatin or cisplatin.

IP Chemotherapy – This therapy places the medicine directly into the peritoneal area through a surgically implanted port and catheter, which is a type of tube. IP therapy has been in use since the 1950s but new advances combine it with IV therapy using the chemotherapy agents that work best for treating ovarian cancer. The National Cancer Institute recommends that, for select ovarian cancer patients, chemotherapy be given by two methods: intravenous (through a woman’s veins) and intraperitoneal (IP or directly into her abdomen). This combination has been found to dramatically increase survival for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer.