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After ovarian low malignant potential tumor has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if abnormal cells have spread within the ovary or to other parts of the body. The following stages are used for ovarian low malignant potential tumor: Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV

After ovarian low malignant potential tumor has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if abnormal cells have spread within the ovary or to other parts of the body.

The process used to find out whether abnormal cells have spread within the ovary or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. Certain tests or procedures are used to determine stage. Staging laparotomy (a surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen to remove ovarian tissue) may be used. Most patients are diagnosed with stage I disease.

The following stages are used for ovarian low malignant potential tumor:

Stage I

In stage I, the tumor is found in one or both of the ovaries. Stage I is divided into stage IA, stage IB, and stage IC.

• Stage IA: The tumor is found in a single ovary.
• Stage IB: The tumor is found in both ovaries.
• Stage IC: The tumor is found in one or both ovaries and one of the following is true:
  • abnormal cells are found on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; or
  • the capsule (outer covering) of the tumor has ruptured (broken open); or
  • tumor cells are found in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity (the body cavity that contains most of the organs in the abdomen) or in washings of the peritoneum (tissue lining the peritoneal cavity).

Stage II

In stage II, the tumor is found in one or both ovaries and has spread into other areas of the pelvis. Stage II is divided into stage IIA, stage IIB, and stage IIC.

• Stage IIA: The tumor has spread to the uterus and/or the fallopian tubes (the long slender tubes through which eggs pass from the ovaries to the uterus).
• Stage IIB: The tumor has spread to other tissue within the pelvis.
• Stage IIC: The tumor has spread to the uterus and/or fallopian tubes and/or other tissue within the pelvis and tumor cells are found in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity (the body cavity that contains most of the organs in the abdomen) or in washings of the peritoneum (tissue lining the peritoneal cavity).

Stage III

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Pea, peanut, walnut, and lime show tumor sizes.

In stage III, the tumor is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to other parts of the abdomen. Stage III is divided into stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and stage IIIC.

• Stage IIIA: The tumor is found only in the pelvis, but tumor cells have spread to the surface of the peritoneum (tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).
• Stage IIIB: The tumor has spread to the peritoneum but is 2 centimeters or smaller in diameter.
• Stage IIIC: The tumor has spread to the peritoneum and is larger than 2 centimeters in diameter and/or has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen.

The spread of tumor cells to the surface of the liver is also considered stage III disease.

Stage IV

In stage IV, tumor cells are found in one or both ovaries and have metastasized (spread) beyond the abdomen to other parts of the body.

The spread of tumor cells to tissues in the liver is also considered stage IV disease.

Ovarian low malignant potential tumors almost never reach stage IV.

Glossary Terms

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).

In medicine, a sac of tissue and blood vessels that surrounds an organ, joint, or tumor. A capsule is also a form for medicine that is taken by mouth. It usually has a shell made of gelatin with the medicine inside.

A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

A measure of length in the metric system. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 2½ centimeters in an inch.

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

A slender tube through which eggs pass from an ovary to the uterus. In the female reproductive tract, there is one ovary and one fallopian tube on each side of the uterus.

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

A cut made in the body to perform surgery.

A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen.

A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.

To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.

Having to do with the ovaries, the female reproductive glands in which the ova (eggs) are formed. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

A condition in which cells that may become cancer form in the thin layer of tissue that covers an ovary (female reproductive gland in which eggs are made). In this condition, tumor cells rarely spread outside of the ovary. Also called ovarian borderline malignant tumor.

One of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed. The ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.

The space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver. It is bound by thin membranes.

The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

The tumor is found in one or both ovaries. Stage I is divided into stages IA, IB, and IC. In stage IA, the tumor is found in a single ovary. In stage IB, the tumor is found in both ovaries. In stage IC, the tumor is found in one or both ovaries and one of the following is true: (1) abnormal cells are found on the outside surface of one or both ovaries; or (2) the capsule (outer covering) of the tumor has ruptured (broken open); or (3) tumor cells are found in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity (the body cavity that contains most of the organs in the abdomen).

The tumor is found in one or both ovaries and has spread into other areas of the pelvis. Stage II is divided into stage IIA, IIB, and IIC. In stage IIA, the tumor has spread to the uterus and/or the fallopian tubes (the long, slender tubes through which eggs pass from the ovaries to the uterus). In stage IIB, the tumor has spread to other tissue within the pelvis. In stage IIC, (1) the tumor has spread to the uterus and/or the fallopian tubes and/or other tissue within the pelvis; and (2) tumor cells are found in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity (the body cavity that contains most of the organs in the abdomen).

The tumor is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to other parts of the abdomen. Stage III is divided into stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and stage IIIC. In stage IIIA, the tumor is found only in the pelvis, but tumor cells have spread to the surface of the peritoneum (tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). In stage IIIB, the tumor has spread to the peritoneum but is 2 centimeters or smaller in diameter. In stage IIIC, the tumor has spread to the peritoneum and is larger than 2 centimeters in diameter and/or has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen. The spread of tumor cells to the surface of the liver is considered stage III disease.

The tumor is found in one or both ovaries and has metastasized (spread) beyond the abdomen to other parts of the body. The spread of tumor cells to tissues in the liver is considered stage IV disease.

Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called womb.