What Are The Differences Between Staging And Grading With Cancers?

Posted on Thu, 21 Mar 2019

Question: Right at a year ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had total hysterectomy followed by 6 cycles of chemo. My oncologist who did my surgery said there was so much necrosis (an ovary had twisted, cutting off blood supply which resulted in this mass of necrotic tissue) There was some cancer on my right ovary that was Stage 1, but since there was so much necrosis the pathologist was not able to really tell, so they gave it a Grade 3. I am confused by this. Can you explain the difference between Staging and Grading with cancers? Naturally, I panicked when hearing the Grade 3 but my Dr. was optimistic as the tumor itself seemed contained but due to all the necrosis around it they just don't know for sure, so they must err on the side of caution. I'd appreciate any info you can give!

Answered by Dr. Monish De (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Grade 3 ovarian cancers have greater chance of spreading

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

After hearing your history as your ovarian cancer is grade 3 it has more chances of spreading from the primary site ovary to other parts of body.

Grade 3 ovarian cancer have irregular cells

By staging it means the extent of spread of ovarian cancer.

In stage 1 the ovarian cancer is only in the ovaries.

Stage 2 ovaries and other regions of the pelvis.

Stage 3 ovaries and regional lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen and pelvis

Stage 4 the cancer is in the ovary and other distant sites such as liver and spleen.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Monish De, Oncologist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T