Staging
Staging is a process that tells a doctor if the cancer has spread and if it has, how far. Doctors usually determine the stage of fallopian tube cancer during surgery. Your doctor will remove the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, omentum (the layer of fatty tissue around the stomach), and any other involved tissue to determine the extent of your cancer. Lymph node biopsies may also be performed. Staging is an important step in evaluating prognosis and treatment options.
Stage IA
Stage IB
Stage IC
Stage IIA
Stage IIB
Stage IIIA1
Stage IIIA2
Stage IIIB
Stage IIIC
Stage IVA
Stage IVB
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Description Stage IA
- Tumor is found in only one fallopian tube. Tumor is encapsulated (not ruptured) and no tumor is found on the outer surface of the fallopian tube. No cancer cells are found in peritoneal washings (fluid put into the pelvis by the surgeon and then removed to be checked for the presence of cancer cells).
Stage IB
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Description Stage IB
- Tumors are found in both fallopian tubes. Tumors are encapsulated (not ruptured) and no tumors are found on the outer surface of the fallopian tubes. No cancer cells are found in peritoneal washings (fluid put into the pelvis by the surgeon and then removed to be checked for the presence of cancer cells).
Stage IC
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Description Stage IC
Tumor(s) found in one or both fallopian tubes and any of the following:
- IC1: Tumor was ruptured during surgery and malignant cells have spilled into the abdomen.
- IC2: Tumor was ruptured before surgery, or tumor is found on the outer surface of the fallopian tube. (see diagram above)
- IC3: Malignant cells are found in peritoneal washings or existing fluid in the peritoneum (ascites).
Stage IIA
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Description Stage IIA
- Tumor is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread to the surface of the uterus or ovaries.
Stage IIB
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Description Stage IIB
- Tumor is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread to other intraperitoneal (within the abdominal cavity) tissues in the pelvis.
Stage IIIA1
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Description nStage IIIA1
Cancer has spread to the retroperitoneal (abdominal) lymph nodes and:
- IIIA1(i): The metastatic tumor is less than or equal to 10 mm in diameter.
- IIIA1(ii): The metastatic tumor is greater than 10 mm in diameter.
Stage IIIA2
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Description Stage IIIA2
- Microscopic metastases (cancer spread that can only be seen with a microscope) are detected on the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) or on the surface of organs in the upper abdomen. Cancer may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal (abdominal) lymph nodes.
Stage IIIB
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Description Stage IIIB
- Macroscopic metastasis (cancer spread that can be seen with the naked eye) less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter detected on the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) or on the surface of organs in the upper abdomen. Cancer may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal (abdominal) lymph nodes.
Stage IIIC
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Description Stage IIIC
- Macroscopic metastasis (cancer spread that can be seen with the naked eye) greater than 2 cm in diameter detected on the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) or on the surface of organs in the upper abdomen. Cancer may or may not have spread to the retroperitoneal (abdominal) lymph nodes.
Stage IVA
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Description Stage IVA
- The cancer has caused pleural effusion, a condition in which an abnormal amount of fluid containing cancer cells builds up between the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Cancer cells are found in this fluid.
Stage IVB
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Description Stage IVB
- Cancer has spread to distant organs or lymph nodes outside the abdomen. Some common sites are the inguinal (groin) lymph nodes, liver (within the organ, not just the surface), and spleen (within the organ, not just the surface).
