Trends in ovarian cancer net survival in a northeastern Brazilian state (1996-2017).

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer survival in low- and middle-income countries is lower than in high-income countries, due to disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic factors. This study aimed to describe trends in ovarian cancer survival in Sergipe, Northeast Brazil, by histological group.

METHODS

We analysed data on 948 women aged 15-99 years diagnosed with a cancer of the ovary between 1996 and 2017, in Sergipe, Brazil. One- and five-year net survival were estimated by histological group and calendar periods of diagnosis (1996-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2014, 2015-2017) using the Pohar-Perme estimator. Survival estimates were age-standardised using International Cancer Survival Standard weights.

RESULTS

Between 1996 and 2017, one-year and five-year net survival for ovarian cancer were 63.4 % and 37.4 %, respectively. Five-year net survival trends increased from 30.9 % (2000-2004) to 46.8 % (2015-2017). Epithelial type I tumours comprised roughly a quarter of cases, while type II tumours constituted over half. Both types exhibited similar one-year survival, ranging from 67 % to 68.5 % during 1996-2017. However, five-year net survival for type II tumours was remarkably lower at 32.5 %, compared to 52 % for type I tumours.

CONCLUSION

Despite a minor improvement in five-year net survival over the 22 years, survival for women with ovarian cancer remains unfavourable, particularly for those diagnosed with Type II epithelial tumours, which have remarkably lower five-year survival than Type I.