If ovarian cancer spreads

Cancer cells can spread from the ovary to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If ovarian cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • fallopian tube
  • other ovary
  • uterus
  • cervix
  • vagina
  • omentum (a fold in the peritoneum that covers and supports organs and blood vessels in the abdomen)
  • parietal peritoneum (the membrane that lines the walls of the abdomen and pelvis) or visceral peritoneum (the membrane that covers and supports most of the organs in the abdomen)
  • diaphragm (the thin muscle below the lungs and heart that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen)
  • lymph nodes in the pelvis and retroperitoneum
  • bladder
  • large intestine
  • rectum
  • small intestine
  • liver
  • lungs

Expert review and references

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society