SEER Training Modules
11/27/12 - The NCI is working on updating materials.
Ovarian Cancer Staging
Criteria for TNM Clinical Staging:
Physical examination and history; palpation of abdomen, imaging, histologic confirmation of malignancy and laparoscopy or laparotomy evaluation.
Criteria for TNM Pathologic Staging:
Laparotomy, hysterectomy and resection of ovarian masses, plus biopsies of pelvic and paraaortic nodes, liver, diaphragm, omentum, and/or mesentery if suspicious for tumor.
Staging for ovarian carcinoma is limited to malignant epithelial tumors only.
Brief Summaries of 6th Edition and FIGO Categories
| AJCC | FIGO | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | I | Limited to ovaries |
| T1a | IA | One ovary, capsule intact |
| T1b | IB | Both ovaries, capsule intact |
| T1c | IC | Capsule ruptured, tumor on surface, malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings |
| T2 | II | Pelvic extension |
| T2a | IIA | Uterus, tube(s) |
| T2b | IIB | Other pelvic tissues |
| T2c | IIC | Malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings |
| T3/N1 | III | Peritoneal metastasis beyond pelvis |
| T3a | IIIA | Microscopic peritoneal metastasis |
| T3b | IIIB | Macroscopic peritoneal metastasis <=2 cm |
| T3c | IIIC | Peritoneal metastasis > 2 cm and/or |
| N1 | IIIC | Regional lymph node metastasis (with Any T) |
| M1 | IV | Distant metastasis (excluding peritoneal metastasis) |
| AJCC | FIGO | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | I | Limited to tube(s) |
| T1a | IA | One tube, serosa intact, no ascites |
| T1b | IB | Both tubes, serosa intact, no ascites |
| T1c | IC | Serosa penetrated, malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings |
| T2 | II | Pelvic extension |
| T2a | IIA | Extension and/or metastasis to uterus and/or ovaries |
| T2b | IIB | Extension to other pelvic structures |
| T2c | IIC | Extension with malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings |
| T3 | III | Peritoneal implants beyond pelvis |
| T3a | IIIA | Microscopic peritoneal outside pelvis |
| T3b | IIIB | Macroscopic peritoneal metastasis outside pelvis <=2 cm |
| T3c | IIIC | Peritoneal metastasis > 2 cm and/or |
| N1 | IIIC | Regional lymph node metastasis (with Any T) |
| M1 | IV | Distant metastasis (excluding peritoneal cavity metastasis) |
Collaborative Stage Elements
For more details on Collaborative Stage, see the Intro to Collaborative Staging module.
