The only universally accepted factor for prognosis of ovarian cancer is the stage of the cancer itself.  There are still debates ongoing, as to the value of DNA ploidy and histopathologic grade, as a basis in giving a prognosis of the ovarian cancer of a patient.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) have set the standard in classifying the stages of the ovarian cancer of a patient.  This staging standard takes into account the surgical and pathological findings of the metastases of the cancer cells of the said patient.

The following are some of the prognosis of ovarian cancer:

Stage 1 – patients in stage 1A and 1B with grade 1 tumors have 90% rate of survival for 5 years; but patients in stage 1C, with grade 3 tumors, have poor prognosis.

• At Stage 1A – in this prognosis of ovarian cancer, cancerous cells are present inside one of the ovaries.  Five years survival rate of patient in this sub stage is 92.7%.
• Stage1B – cancerous cells are present inside both ovaries; this is also the description for this particular prognosis of ovarian cancer.  At this point, confirmed findings of primary tumors are found.  Five years survival rate of patient in this sub stage is 85.4%
• Stage 1C – this prognosis of ovarian cancer is a bit advanced.  Cancerous cells are present in both ovaries and are now present outside the ovaries.  Sub stage 1C is where malignant cells are discovered through peritoneal washings.  This is also where the first evidence of metastatic activity of the cancer cells is noticed.  The sub stage has poorer survival rate.  Five years survival rate of patient in this sub stage is 84.7%.  The average survival rate for this stage is 75%.

Stage 2 patients comprise 10% of the total number of those affected with this cancer.  This stage is defined as where the extension or metastasis to nearby organs of the ovary, like pelvic peritoneum and fallopian tubes, occur.  At this stage, no metastasis yet have invaded lymph nodes or other parts of the body.  The average survival rate for this stage is 50%

• Stage 2A – the sub stage where cancerous cells have reached the uterus or fallopian tubes.  The 5-year survival is 78.6%.
• Stage 2B – the cancerous cells have reached the pelvic organs, bladders, and rectum.  The 5-year survival rate is 72.4%.
• Stage 2C – the cancer cells have reached the abdomen.  The 5-year survival rate is 64.6%.

Stage 3 comprises most of the ovarian cancer patients, being 51% of the ovarian cancer cases.  The tumors at this stage is spread out in the peritoneal (pelvic and abdominal) surfaces.  It metastases to the lymph nodes is at sub stage 3C.  The average survival rate for this stage is 13%.

• Stage 3A – cancer is present in both ovaries; but the cancer in abdomen can’t be seen without a microscope.  The 5- year survival rate at this point is 50.8%.
• Stage 3B – cancer in both ovaries and the abdomen cancer is now visible to naked eye; but less than 2cm in diameter.  For this sub stage, the 5-year survival rate is 42.4%
• Stage 3C – cancer in both ovaries and the cancer in the abdomen is larger than 2cm in diameter, and it has reached the lymph nodes.  The 5-year survival rate is 31.5%.

Stage4 – is where patients have parenchyma liver; extra abdominal and spleen metastases.  Patients in this stage comprise 13% of the total cases of ovarian cancers.  Lungs and livers are now metastatic sites.  One-third of ovarian cancer patients in this stage have pleural effusion; which contain malignant cells.

Brain metastases are present in about .01% of patient in this stage.  The prognosis of ovarian cancer at this stage is not curable anymore.  Cancer has reached distant organs.  The survival rate for a 5-year period is 17%.