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Ovarian Cancer: A Review
Giuseppe Caruso1,2,3, S John Weroha4, William Cliby1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
JAMA
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Ovarian cancer, a leading cause of cancer death, often presents at advanced stages. Early detection and targeted therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and maintenance treatments like PARP inhibitors, improve survival rates for ovarian cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Cancer Epidemiology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer globally, with high-grade serous carcinoma being the predominant subtype.
- Risk factors include older age, family history, endometriosis, and nulliparity, with hereditary factors (BRCA1/2) in 25% of cases.
- Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms and advanced-stage disease, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian cancer.
- To highlight the challenges in early detection and the management of advanced-stage disease.
- To discuss the role of current and emerging therapies in improving patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data and clinical studies on ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of diagnostic modalities including imaging and tumor markers.
- Evaluation of treatment strategies for early and advanced-stage ovarian cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted maintenance therapies.
Main Results:
- Ovarian cancer diagnosis and mortality rates remain significant worldwide, with an estimated 20,890 US cases and 12,730 deaths in 2025.
- High-grade serous ovarian cancer accounts for 70-80% of epithelial malignancies, with a median age at diagnosis of 63.
- Despite high initial remission rates, approximately 75% of advanced-stage patients experience relapse within 2 years, though PARP inhibitors improve survival in BRCA-related cases.
Conclusions:
- Ovarian cancer management requires a multi-faceted approach, integrating surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies.
- Advanced-stage disease at diagnosis presents a significant challenge, necessitating effective treatment strategies.
- Ongoing research into novel therapeutic targets and early detection methods is crucial for improving long-term survival in ovarian cancer patients.
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