In the stage, I ovarian cancer, the tumor is confined to the ovaries only and has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant sites. At this early stage, some women experience little or no symptoms. Other women experience abdominal swelling at this stage which is caused by large cysts that are cancerous. However, statistical studies have shown that only a few numbers of women find ovarian cancer at this early stage.
Subtypes of stage 1 ovarian cancer
Stage I also has different subtypes, as listed below:
Stage IA
In stage IA, the tumor is confined to one ovary and is present inside the ovary. In this stage, there is no cancer on the outer surface of the ovary. There is also no presence of cancer cells to be found in the abdomen or pelvic region, and cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant areas.
Stage IB
At this stage, the cancer is present in both ovaries but is not on the outer surface of the ovaries. There are also no cancer cells in the fluid of the abdomen or pelvic region. Cancer has also not spread to the lymph nodes and distant areas.
Stage IC
The cancer is present in either one or both ovaries and has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant areas. This stage has three parts:
- In the Ic1 stage, the tissue surrounding the tumor has broken, and the fluid begins to flow into the abdomen and pelvic region
- In the Ic2 stage, the cancer is on the outer surface of the ovary, and the tissue surrounding the tumor has burst before surgery. This would allow cancer cells to flow into the abdomen and pelvic region.
- In the Ic3 stage, cancer cells are in the fluid present in the abdomen and pelvic region.
See more on stages of ovarian cancer.
