As for cervical cancer the FIGO classification of staging is employed:
In the first stage (Stage 1) the cancer is confined the ovary or ovaries.
In Stage 2, the disease has extended to other pelvic organs, but not outside the pelvis.
In Stage 3, the cancer has spread to the abdomen, usually as a carpet of cells that have washed through the peritoneum and deposited themselves on the lining walls and other coverings within the abdominal cavity, frequently evoking the ascites – just mentioned.
Stage 4 refers to the situation where there has been spread outside the abdominal cavity – e.g. to the chest where the tell-tale sign of a fluid collection below the lung(s) – a pleural effusion, as seen on chest x-ray – is often the first sign.
