Stage 1 ovarian cancer
Cancer staging
The ovarian cancer stage means how far your cancer has spread at the time it is discovered. This may be assessed after your diagnostic tests but it is usually confirmed after surgery.
During your operation to remove the cancer the surgeon may take samples from the cancer and from fluid which are then examined under a microscope. This usually shows the stage of your cancer.
The system of staging also applies to fallopian tube and peritoneal cancers.
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What is stage 1 ovarian cancer?
This is the earliest stage of ovarian cancer and means that your cancer is contained within the ovary or on the surface of the ovary. At this stage the cancer may cause few symptoms and some people are not aware that anything is wrong. Others may experience abdominal swelling caused by large cysts that are found to contain ovarian cancer. Only a small number of people have their cancer found at this early stage.
Stage 1a means the cancer is contained in one ovary.
Stage 1b means it is contained inside both ovaries.
Stage 1c is when the cancer is limited to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes, with any of the following:
- If there is surgical spill, this is stage 1c1.
- If the sac surrounding the cancer has burst before surgery or there is cancer present on the surface of the ovary or fallopian tube, this is stage 1c2.
- If cancer cells are found in fluid samples taken during surgery, this is stage 1c3.
Grading stage 1 ovarian cancer
How is stage 1 ovarian cancer treated?
Stage 1a and 1b are treated with surgery. Your surgeon will remove your ovaries, fallopian tubes, womb and a layer of tissue called the omentum that surrounds the abdominal organs. Samples of your lymph nodes may be taken to check the cancer has not spread to them. These are small structures which are part of the lymphatic system which fights infection. The operation is called a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy. You can find out more about surgery for ovarian cancer here.
If your cancer was diagnosed at stage 1a (inside one ovary) and you have not yet had children, it may be possible for just one ovary and one fallopian tube to be removed leaving the healthy ovary. This could make it possible to keep your fertility and get pregnant. You will need to discuss this possibility with your consultant.
Your treatment after surgery will depend on the grade of your cancer. If it is stage 1a or stage 1b with a grade of 1 or 2 it is less likely to spread and you will be treated with surgery only.
Stage 1a3 and 1b3 and all stage 1c ovarian cancer is treated with surgery and chemotherapy. This is to make sure any cancer cells remaining in your pelvis and abdomen after the operation are eliminated.
Before you start chemotherapy you need to recover from the surgery. Usually within six weeks of your operation you will start a course of six chemotherapy treatments, given every three weeks. It is likely that your consultant will recommend carboplatin chemotherapy. You can read more about chemotherapy here.
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Ovacome is the UK 's national ovarian cancer support charity. We've been providing emotional support and personalised, expert information since 1996. Contact our support line by phone, email or text if you have questions about a diagnosis, or if you just want to talk things through.
We support anyone affected by ovarian cancer, including family members, carers, those with an inherited risk, and health professionals working in the field.
Ovacome has 50 information booklets on a variety of topics about ovarian cancer.
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