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BMC Cancer logoLink to BMC Cancer
. 2023 Jun 16;23:558. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-11041-8

Survival rate of ovarian cancer in Asian countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Zahra Maleki 1,#, Mohebat Vali 1,#, Hossein-Ali Nikbakht 2, Soheil Hassanipour 3, Aida Kouhi 4, Saman Sedighi 5, Roya Farokhi 6, Haleh Ghaem 7,8,
PMCID: PMC10276364  PMID: 37328812

Abstract

Background

Ovarian cancer is amongst one of the most commonly occurring cancers affecting women, and the leading cause of gynecologic related cancer death. Its poor prognosis and high mortality rates can be attributed to the absence of specific signs and symptoms until advance stages, which frequently leads to late diagnosis. Survival rate of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer can be used in order to better assess current standard of care; the aim of this study is to evaluate the survival rate of ovarian cancer patients in Asia.

Methods

Systematic review was performed on articles that were published by the end of August 2021 in five international databases, including Medline / PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality evaluation form was used for cohort studies to evaluate the quality of the articles. The Cochran-Q and I2 tests were used to calculate the heterogeneity of the studies. The Meta-regression analysis was also done according to when the study was published.

Results

A total of 667 articles were reviewed, from which 108 were included in this study because they passed the criteria. Based on a randomized model, the survival rates of ovarian cancer after 1, 3 and 5 years were respectively 73.65% (95% CI, 68.66–78.64), 61.31% (95% CI, 55.39–67.23) and 59.60% (95% CI, 56.06–63.13). Additionally, based on meta-regression analysis, there was no relationship between the year of study and survival rate.

Conclusions

The 1-year survival rate was higher than that of 3- and 5-year for ovarian cancer. This study provides invaluable information that can not only help establish better standard of care for treatment of ovarian cancer, but also assist in development of superior health interventions for prevention and treatment of the disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-023-11041-8.

Background

Cancer is amongst the most common causes of death globally and is predicted to be a major contributor to poor quality of life in the 21st century [1, 2]. Ovarian cancer is commonly occurring cancers among women. It has been estimated that 190,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are reported annually worldwide, and its incidence is more prevalent in developed countries. In most cases, because of lack of specific signs and symptoms and absence of proper screening, ovarian cancer is detected in later stages of the disease, which often leads to poor outcomes [3]. While the incidence rate of ovarian cancer is less than breast cancer, it is estimated to be three times more lethal, and by the year 2040, its mortality rate is predicted to increase significantly [4].

Ovarian cancer incidence and epidemiology patterns vary globally and are correlated with various risk factors that can contribute to development of the disease [5]. Non-Hispanic white women have been reported to have the highest prevalence of ovarian cancer (12.0 per 100,000), followed by Hispanic women (10.3 per 100,000), non-Hispanic blacks (9.4 per 100,000), and Asian / Pacific Island women (9.2 per 100,000). Additionally, ovarian cancer mortality has a different global pattern, and is the highest amongst black women, which is mostly due to the differences in prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies [6].

There is growing evidence to suggest that the management of ovarian cancer should be personalized, taking into account the patient’s performance status. [7]. It is essential to be able to predict the incidence rate of ovarian cancer and its survival rate given this information can help develop and enhance strategies and interventions for prevention and early diagnosis of the disease. The survival rate of ovarian cancer is related to many factors, including the stage and degree of disease, age, histology, appropriate surgical treatment, appropriate chemotherapy, and tumor site [8]. Furthermore, several risk factors can contribute to the development of cancer. Identifying and addressing these risk factors can potentially aid in cancer prevention. Moreover, elucidating the mortality rates of the disease, and global incident patterns can help develop strategies aimed at prevention. Currently, there are no comprehensive studies on the survival rate of ovarian cancer in Asian countries. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the survival rate of ovarian cancer in Asian countries.

Mehtods

The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of ovarian cancer survival rate. The method by which the present study is reporting is based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist [9].

Search Strategy

In this study, authors surveyed five databases: Medline / PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus and the Web of Knowledge and Google scholar for grey literature and included studies published by the end of August 2021. Keywords that were selected to search databases included.

Ovarian Neoplasms [Mesh], Survival OR Survival Analysis OR Survival Rate, Asian Countries (Names of countries) (Appendix 1).

The data that were collected were entered onto EndNote, X7 software and duplicated articles were deleted. Two researchers examined the articles independently, using search strategies that are presented in Appendix 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

This study included observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies) on ovarian cancer survival that were published by the end of August 2021 and were published in English. Review and meta-analysis studies or studies that did not report sample size or survival confidence interval were excluded.

Quality evaluation and data extraction

The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Checklist was employed to consider the quality of the selected manuscripts [10].

Two investigators performed the initial search of the studies. After screening studies and extracting results, the quality of the manuscripts were determined independently by two other investigators. If the two investigators were in disagreement, the preselected leader of the team would give their final opinion on the article.

All articles, which were included in this study were selected from a pre-determined checklist. This checklist encompassed the author’s name, publication year, study period, sample size, cancer type, country, and survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 year. Data extraction was done independently by two researchers.

Statistical analysis

The Cochran Q test (with a significance level of less than 0.1) and I2 statistics were used to determine the heterogeneity between studies. In the presence of heterogeneity, the Random-Effects Model was used by the Inverse-Variance Method, and if there was no heterogeneity, the fixed effects model was used. Meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis were used in case of heterogeneity between studies. Analysis was performed on STATA software version 16 and MEDCALC version 14.

Additional analysis

The year in which the study was published was utilized in Meta-Regression analysis due to the high heterogeneity of the studies.

Bias Risk among Studies

The Random Effects Model is utilized to reduce the risk of bias in studies [11, 12]. Egger diffusion bias evaluation test was also utilized to determine the risk of diffusion bias (publication bias) [13].

Results

Study selection

2377 articles were found after searching all international databases, and after omitting duplicated articles, 667 articles were included in the review stage. After careful examination of the titles and abstracts of the selected articles, 426 articles were considered for the next step. At this stage, the full text of the articles was reviewed, and 108 retrospective cohort articles were part of the final analysis. The references of imported articles were also reviewed to add applicable studies. The study selection process is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Flowchart of the included eligible studies in systematic review

Study characteristics

The articles were chosen from January of 1989 to August 2021. 108 studies over the mentioned period were eligible. 56 articles from China, 13 articles from Hong Kong, 21 papers from India, 13 articles from Iran, 2 articles from Israel, 57 articles from Japan, 29 papers from South Korea, 2 papers from Kuwait, 16 papers from Singapore, 11 articles from Taiwan, 16 papers from Thailand, and 14 articles from Turkey were reviewed. Descriptive information for these studies is provided in Table 1. The median follow-up period in the studies was 9 years.

Table 1.

Basic Information of Included Studies

Order Author (year) Location Time period Sample size Ovary Survival Rate
1-year survival rate 3-year survival rate 5-year survival rate
1 Khalafi-Nezhad A,2021 Iran 2001–2016 132 93.80% 85.20% 66.00%
2 Aoki D.2014 Japan 2005–2011 4672 - - 92.00%
3 Arab, M.2009 Iran 2000–2004 1246 - - 61.00%
4 Ayhan A.2008 Turkey 1982–2004 91 - - 83.00%
5 Bhika B.2004 India 1992–1994 4865 51.90% 29.00% 23.80%
6 Bi R.2016 China 1999–2009 73 - - 78.80%
7 Bian,C.2015 China 2005–2010 339 - - 25.00%
8 Bozkaya, Y.2017 Turkey 2000–2013 52 47.00% - -
9  C.Li.2012 China 2000–2005 131 - - 39.14%
10 Chay W.Y.2013 Singapore 1963–2012 133 - - 75.40%
11 Chen C.A.2018 Taiwan 2000–2011 510 - - 84.60%
12 Chen S.2014 China 2008–2010 107 - 30.90% 41.80%
13 Chen, J. G. 2011 China 1992–2000 101 51.30% 34.70% 32.70%
14 Chen,M.C.2018 Taiwan 1979–2008 121 87.00% - 61.00%
15 Chen,Y 0.2015 China 2001–2011 816 - - 59.00%
16 Chia, K. S., 2011 Singapore 1968–1997 718 81.80% 67.50% 61.20%
17 Chia, K. S., 2001 Singapore 1968–1972 901 44.00% 44.00% 52.00%
18 Chul Chun,K.2011 Singapore 1989–2008 40 - - -
19 Chung,H.H.2007 South Korea 1993–2002 4778 89.10% 72.50% 65.90%
20 Dan Nie.2019 China 2008–2014 178 - - 41.30%
21 Dikshit, R. 2011 India 1991–1995 69 63.80% 47.80% 18.80%
22 E. Alawadhi,2019 Kuwait 2005–2009 221 79.00% - 42.60%
23 Egemen Ertas,I.2014 Turkey 1995–2010 42 - - 81.40%
24 Gaemmaghami, F.2011 Iran 1998–2008 186 - 42.00% 43.0%
25 Gaurav Das,2020 India 2005–2012 958 92.50% 92.50% 92.50%
26 Gek-Hsiang Lim.2009 Singapore 1978–1982 1422 - - 64.70%
27 Ghaemmaghami, F.2008 Iran 1997–2004 21 - - 39.00%
28 Guangquan Liu.2017 China 2001–2017 32 - - 30.00%
29 Gue,J.2018 China 2003–2016 143 - - 96.80%
30 Guvenal, T.2013 Turkey 2001–2013 539 - - 99.00%
31 Han,Y.2016 China 2000–2015 136 - - 92.10%
32 Hee-Beom Yang,2020 South Korea 1995–2016 80 - - 57.90%
33 Helpman, L.2005 Israel 1995–2011 71 - - 68.00%
34 Higash, M.2011 Japan 1986–2008 1582 - - 91.70%
35 Hong,D.2011 South Korea 2000–2005 18 - - 80.00%
36 Jayalekshmi, P.,2011 India 1991–1997 35 62.90% 36.40% 26.00%
37 Jiang X.2017 China 2002–2017 25 - - 38.90%
38 JiIanjun LU,2019 China 2011–2013 74 - - 84.85%
39 Jie Yin,2019 China 2000–2016 40 - - 87.50%
40 Jin, F.1998 China 1988–1991 941 65.90% 47.20% 41.50%
41  K.Kritpracha.2008 Thailand 1987–1998 105 - - 50.21%
42 Kaili.2012 China 2005–2007 335 - - 65.50%
43 Kang S.2013 China 2002–2008 213 59.40% 57.80% 53.00%
44 Karabulut B.2005 Turkey 1999–2003 26 51.00% - -
45 Karimi Zarchi M,0.2015 Iran 2006–2012 120 - - 83.34%
46 Khunnarong, J.2008 Thailand 1996–2003 170 - - 54.90%
47 Ku-F-C.2017 Taiwan 2000–2013 891 - - 37.50%
48 Kwang-Beom Lee.2006 South Korea 1997–2003 52 - - 60.00%
49 Law, S. C.2011 China 1996–2001 1831 83.00% 69.00% 63.50%
50 Loka A.2002 Japan 1985–1994 1494 - - 40.90%
51 Martin, N,2011 Thailand 1990–2000 193 68.40% 52.30% 48.50%
52 Matsuda T.2010 Japan 1993–1999 491 - - 52.00%
53 Matsumoto H.2013 Japan 1998–2011 16 - - 73.10%
54 Menczer J.2012 Israel 1994–1999 225 - - -
55 Min K.W.2012 South Korea 1995–2006 129 - - 79.10%
56 Mok J.E.2006 South Korea 1993–2004 10 60.00% - 42.00%
57 Nagase S.2019 Japan 2015 − 2010 752 - - 88.50%
58 Nakagawa-Senda,2017 Japan 2006–2008 865 - - 51.00%
59 Nakashima N.1989 Japan 1965–1987 71 - - 69.30%
60 Natee J.2006 Thailand 1995–2004 43 - - 85.20%
61 Pandey D.2004 India 1981–2000 58 - 73.10% -
62 Park J.Y.2006 South Korea 2001–2005 46 - 66.63% -
63 Piura B.1999 Israel 1978–1998 11 - 50.00% -
64 R. Kobayashi.2017 Japan 1991–2014 110 - - 88.20%
65  S.Kuntito.2012 Japan 1996–2004 31 - 69.20% 84.70%
66 Saito T.1995 Japan 2013–2013 138 - - 74.20%
67 Sakai K.2011 Japan 1986–2009 180 - - 62.90%
68 Sankaranarayananl R.1995 India 1982–1982 452 - - 61.50%
69 Satoru Nagase,2019 Japan 2010–2015 7527 - - 88.50%
70 Hasani S,2019 Iran 2011–2017 179 - - 48.10%
71 Inoue S,2019 Japan 2006–2008 1309 50.50% - 23.00%
72 Sozen H.2015 Turkey 1998–2010 50 - - 92.00%
73 Sriplung, H.2011 Thailand 1990–1999 173 81.10% 56.20% 48.60%
74 Suh D.H.2015 South Korea 1995–2013 193 68.50% 81.10% -
75 Suita S.2002 Japan 1975–2000 60 - - 75.00%
76 Sumitsawan, Y.2011 Thailand 1993–1997 162 90.30% 71.10% 66.20%
77 Sun H.D.2011 Taiwan 1948–2010 167 - - 96.50%
78 Surprasert P.2006 Thailand 1995–2005 1076 - - 55.40%
79 Swaminathan, R., 2011 India 1990–1999 808 - - 27.40%
80 Taek sang Lee.2013 South Korea 1997–2008 1032 - - 94.50%
81 Taskin S.2013 Turkey 2001–2010 297 - - 51.60%
82 Teramukai S.2007 Japan 1994–2000 768 - - 54.00%
83 Terzi A.2013 Japan 1984–2001 156 - 90.60% 54.00%
84 Tong X.2008 China 1948–2007 76 - - 91.80%
85 Tsubamoto H.2013 Japan 1996–2009 73 - - 74.00%
86 Tsukuma, H., 2006 Japan 1993–1996 373 78.20% 56.20% 48.20%
87 Uegaki K.2014 Japan 2001–2011 51 - - 85.70%
88 Uygun K.2003 Turkey 1979–1998 952 89.00% 84.00% 81.00%
89 Vandana Jain,2019 India 2004–2016 14 - 40.52% 33.00%
90 Vatanasapt, V. 1998 Thailand 1985–1992 253 57.50% 39.40% 34.00%
91 Veras E.2009 Japan 1985–2006 122 - 90.00% 68.00%
92 Wang P.H.2014 Taiwan 1994–2010 44 - - 55.80%
93 Yamagami W,2019 Japan 2004–2008 9747 - - 94.90%
94 Wong K.H.2012 Hong Kong 1997–2006 2941 - - 63.10%
95 Xiang, Y. B. 2011 China 1992–1995 1087 66.40% 48.40% 42.70%
96 Xishan, H.2011 China 1991–1999 1124 77.20% 62.70% 59.70%
97 Y.M.Kim.2006 South Korea 1991–2004 35 - - 92.00%
98 Yamagami W.2015 Japan 2007–2007 3681 - - 31.90%
99 Yamagami W.2017 Japan 1975–2012 9384 - - 90.50%
100 Yamamoto S.2011 Japan 1992–2003 254 83.40% 81.40% 68.80%
101 Yeole, B. B. 2011 India 1992–1994 2029 49.70% 29.10% 22.80%
102 Yong Kuei lim.2011 Singapore 2000–2009 75 - - 84.00%
103 Yuk J.S.2018 Korea 2006–2010 78,826 - 95.70% 88.90%
104 Zeng H.2018 China 2003–2005 678 - - 38.90%
105 Zhao Q.2017 China 2010–2015 50 - - 83.60%
106 Zhao T l.2016 China 1997–2014 102 98.70% 96.40% -
107 Zhao T l.2017 China 1997–2015 53 - - 69.00%
108 Ziying Lei,2020 China 2010–2017 584 - 60.30% -

Quality Appraisal

The results of the quality assessment of manuscripts are shown in Appendix 2. Based on the review using the relevant checklist, 79 studies were determined to be of good quality, and 29 articles had average quality.

Heterogeneity

The result of the chi-squared test and I2 index elucidated that there is significant heterogeneity between studies. According to the analysis, 1 year survival of ovarian cancer was: I2 = 99.93%, P < 0.001; 3 years was: I2 = 99.96%, P < 0.001); and 5 years was: I2 = 99.92%, P < 0.001). As a result, a random-effects model was used for all analysis.

Results of the Meta-Analysis

First, the articles were sorted based on the year of publication, and then the survival was differentiated into 1, 3, and 5 years. Meta-regression was also completed based on the year of the study.

1-year Survival Rate of Ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries

From the total number of articles that were included in the final analysis of this paper, 41 studies showed that based on a random-effect model, the 1-year survival was 73.65% (95% CI, 68.66–78.64). (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

1,3 and 5-year Survival Rate of Ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries

3-year Survival Rate of Ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries

From the total number of articles that were included in the final analysis of this paper, 50 studies showed that based on a random-effect model the 3-year survival was 61.31% (95% CI, 55.39–67.23).(Fig. 2).

5-year Survival Rate of Ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries

From the total number of articles that were included in the final analysis of this paper,159 showed that based on a random-effect model, the 5-year survival was 59.60% (95% CI, 56.06–63.13).(Fig. 2).

Ovarian Cancer survival rate by Asian Country

Results of ovarian cancer survival rate in 12 countries are shown in Table 2; Fig. 3. The highest 1, 3, and 5 years survival rates are respectively in Iran (93.80), Turkey (84.0), and Turkey (85.27), and the lowest survival rates are respectively seen in Singapore (63.23) and India (46.72).

Table 2.

Result of meta-analysis and heterogeneity of survival rate of ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries base on each country and year of survival

Country Total Year of Survival
1 3 5
N Effect estimate I2 P N Effect estimate I2 P N Effect estimate I2 P
China 56 9

72.56

(63.75, 81.37)

99.33 ≤ 0.001 13

53.02

(43.65, 62.39)

99.29 ≤ 0.001 34

54.75

(46.89, 62.61)

99.25 ≤ 0.001
HongKong 13 3

82.17

(54.16, 110.19)

99.97 ≤ 0.001 4

65.00

(40.95, 89.06)

99.91 ≤ 0.001 6

59.83

(38.05, 81.62)

99.92 ≤ 0.001
India 21 5

64.22

(48.32, 80.11)

99.50 ≤ 0.001 7

46.72

( 32.30, 61.14)

99.15 ≤ 0.001 9

36.06

(23.59, 48.54)

99.22 ≤ 0.001
Iran 13 1

93.80

(89.33, 98.27)

NR NR 2

63.63

(21.30, 105.97)

98.67 ≤ 0.001 10

60.39

(50.82, 69.96)

94.52 ≤ 0.001
Israel 2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 2

64.54

(50.64, 78.44)

17.57 0.271
Japan 57 4

71.89

(57.56, 86.22)

99.53 ≤ 0.001 8

75.71

(58.90, 92.53)

99.64 ≤ 0.001 45

63.87

(57.26, 70.48)

99.94 ≤ 0.001
Korea 29 7

81.52

(70.97, 92.07)

99.65 ≤ 0.001 8

72.69

(58.13, 87.26)

99.88 ≤ 0.001 14

70.90

(58.88, 82.93)

99.83 ≤ 0.001
Kuwait 2 1

79.00

(73.44, 84.55)

NR NR NR NR NR NR 1

42.60

(35.89, 49.30)

NR NR
Singapore 16 3

63.23

(41.84, 84.61)

99.99 ≤ 0.001 3

55.74

(42.49, 68.99)

99.96 ≤ 0.001 10

56.03

(45.71, 66.34)

99.92 ≤ 0.001
Taiwan 11 1

87.00

(86.39, 87.60)

NR NR NR NR NR NR 10

54.94

(37.98, 71.90)

71.94 ≤ 0.001
Thailand 16 4

74.41

( 60.27, 88.55)

95.57 ≤ 0.001 4

54.66

( 41.78, 67.54)

92.50 ≤ 0.001 8

55.03

(44.95, 65.10)

99.75 ≤ 0.001
Turkey 14 3

63.47

(36.03, 90.92)

93.79 ≤ 0.001 1

84.00

(81.62, 86.37)

NR ≤ 0.001 10

85.27

(76.26, 94.28)

94.59 ≤ 0.001
Overall 250 41

73.65

(68.66, 78.64)

99.93 ≤ 0.001 50

61.31

(55.39, 67.23)

99.96 ≤ 0.001 159

59.60

(56.06, 63.13)

98.88 ≤ 0.001

*NR; Not reported

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

1-year survival rate, 3-year survival rate, and 5-year survival rate of ovarian Cancer in Asian Countries

Metaregression Ovarian Cancer Survival Rate in Asian Countries

Although in the recent years, the 1-year survival (Reg Coef = 0.6756, p = 0.119) and 3-year survival (Reg Coef = 0.6012, p = 0.287) has increased, this increase was not statistically significant. Also the 5 year survival rate has decreased (Reg Coef = − 0.1205, p = 0.678), while this decerease was also not signifant. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

Bubble plot of standard error by point estimate for assessment of meta-regression (1, 3, and 5-year Ovarian cancer survival rate) [A: 1-year survival rate, B: 3-year survival rate, C: 5-year survival rate]

Publication Bias

Ultimately, we chose the funnel plots to evaluate the release bias for 1, 3, and 5 years ovarian cancer survival rate in Asian countries. The results of the egger test confirmed this bias (Appendix 3).

Bias for 1 year: 1.86, 95% CI = -11.14 to 14.87; P = 0.7738.

Bias for 3 years: 2.40, 95% CI = -11.76 to 16.56; P = 0.7346.

Bias for 5 years: 2.64, 95% CI = -2.16 to 7.46; P = 0.2795.

Discussion

In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the 1, 3 and 5 year survival rate of ovarian cancer across 12 Asian countries. The mean 1-year survival in this study was estimated to be 73.65%. According to the results, Iran’s 1-year survival rate was estimated to be the highest and was 93.80% and Singapore’s 1-year survival rate was evaluated to be the lowest and was 63.23%. In a 2013 cohort study of women with ovarian cancer in Denmark, Grann et al. found that the overall 1-year survival rate between 2000 and 2002 was 73% and between 2009 and 2011 was 69% [14]. In a 2012 study, the 1-year survival rate of ovarian cancer between 1978 and 2002 was evaluated to be 74.6% in Finland, 75.6% in Norway, 79.3% in Sweden, 60.7% in Ireland., 60.7% in England, 62.9% in Northern Ireland, 60.8% in Scotland, 62.9% in Wales, 70.9% in Austria, 69.7% in Germany, 69.5% in the Netherlands, 78.5% in Switzerland, 64.9% in the Czech Republic, 4.64% in Poland, 1.56% in Slovakia, 69.6% in Italy, 68.8% in Slovenia and 63.6% in Spain [15]. In 2017, another study by Stewart et al. reviewed ovarian cancer survival rate between 2001 and 2009 in 37 states, which includes 80% of the population of the United States. The survival rate for ovarian cancer in women between 15 and 90 years old was 72.3% from 2001 to 2003 and increased to 73.3% from 2004 to 2009 [16]. The estimated 1-year survival rate in the present study is higher than in the previous studies. Only Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland have slightly higher survival rates.

The 3-year survival rate of ovarian cancer in this study was estimated to be 61.31%. The highest and lowest 3-year survival rates in our study were found to be 84% in Turkey and 46.72% in India respectively. According to a study published in 2014 by Anuradha et al., women with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer in 2005 had a 3-year cancer survival rate of 57% in Western Australia and 50% in South Australia [17]. Cabasag et al. studied 3-year survival rate of ovarian cancer between 2014 and 2010 in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom where the results were 56.4%, 50.1%, 53.6%, 44.8%, 45.5%, 57.2%, and 47.3% respectively [18].

The 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer in the present study is 59.60%. Turkey, with 85.27%, has the highest, and India, with 36.06%, has the lowest 5-year survival rate. In the United States, the incidence of ovarian cancer is relatively low, with a 5-year survival rate of 53% in patients undergoing surgery and 8% in patients that do not undergo surgery. In Canada, the 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer was estimated to be between 37 and 43%, and in Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden was respectively 55%, 43%, 43%, and 45% [19]. Studies which were conducted in the Netherlands and Korea illustrated that the 5-year survival rate in the Netherlands rose from 18% to 1993 to 28% in 2004, and reported the 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer in Korea in 2011 to be 60% [20, 21].

From 2000 to 2007, the 5-year survival rate for European women with ovarian cancer was 38%. However, the 5-year survival rate for this cancer was lower in Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it was reported to be 31%, as compared to the results of our current study. Moreover, in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Central Europe, and Northern Europe, the 5-year survival rate were estimated to be 34.4%, 38%, 40.5%, and 41.1% respectively [22]. In Western and Southern Australia, the 5-year survival of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer is estimated to be 46% and 40%, respectively. Additionally, the 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer between 2003 and 2008 was approximately 44% in United States, 43% in England, 45% in Canada, 55% in Japan, 37% in Denmark, and 45% Sweden [17]. Srivastava et al. found that the 5-year survival rate in Caucasian women has surged from 40.7 to 45% from 1992 to 2008; however, the 5-year survival rate decreased in African American women from 47.9 to 40.3% over the same period and decreased to 36% from 2006 to 2012 [23]. In a 2020 study, Bian et al. studied the effects of a previous malignancy on ovarian cancer survival rate between 2004 and 2015. They reported a 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer with a previous malignancy to be 35.1%, and with no previous malignancy to be 43.2% [24]. A retrospective study conducted in China, which analyzed 63 pathological cases of ovarian cancer from 2000 to 2018, reported a 5-year survival rate of 69% in patients who underwent surgery for treatment. The study also found an overall 5-year survival rate of 80% for all patients [25].

A 2020 cohort study by Beachler et al. reported an overall 5-year survival rate of 47.7% in advanced ovarian cancer patients in the United States from 2018 to 2010 [26].

The findings of our study indicate that the survival rate of ovarian cancer is higher in Asian countries when compared to those in Europe, America, Australia, and Africa.

Ovarian cancer is generally less common in Asia and the Middle East and has better outcomes than in the United States and Europe. Ovarian cancer is also diagnosed in women in Asia and the Middle East at a younger age, which may be a contributing factor to better survival rates [19]. Generally, this difference in survival could be related to different risk factors, increased cancer incidence, or more specific reporting of the death rates, which needs to be thoroughly investigated in future studies. It can also be caused by different treatment methods such as the use of lymphadenectomy [27, 28], which can lead to different survival in patients in different regions.

The strength and limitations

The type and quality of the studies included in this study are among the study’s limitations. Also, the volume of sample studies and the number of studies conducted in each country can affect the results of the present study. In addition, more than half of Asian countries have not published any studies on ovarian cancer survival rate, so more accurate studies are needed for precise assessment, especially in unreported countries. The power of the present study is the introduction of observational studies with follow-up design (cohort) and meta-regression analysis to identify heterogeneity sources.

Conclusion

Ovarian cancer can be one of the most important cancers among women and can be fatal if diagnosed late. The survival rate of ovarian cancer in the present study shows that in most cases, Asian countries have a higher survival rate than European countries, and these results can be a basis for developing treatment strategies and health interventions. One of the reasons for the higher survival of this cancer in Asian countries can be due to the difference in the type of cancer as well as the cancer BIRAD. Also, the difference in diet and lifestyle in Asian countries compared to European countries can be another reason for the difference in survival in these two continents. It seems that a healthier life than an industrial life can have an effect on cancer survival. However, it is highly preventable by recognizing risk factors. With improved disease management, early detection and better treatment, ovarian cancer mortality can be better managed and even prevented. It is also recommended for future studies to investigate different treatments and make better decisions for more effective treatment that can bring more survival for patients. In addition, it is recommended to investigate risk factors, genetic differences, differences in the type of cancer and degree of cancer, and nutritional differences for further studies.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary Material 1 (13.8KB, docx)
Supplementary Material 2 (26.1KB, docx)
Supplementary Material 3 (24.4KB, docx)

Acknowledgements

This article was approved and financially supported by the Research Vice-chancellor of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (grant No. 1400-9-9-22591). The Ethics Committee approved this study at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (IR.SUMS.REC.1400.650).

Authors’ contributions

HG is the lead author and guarantor and contributed to interpreting the data and revising the manuscript. MV and ZM planned the study and led the drafting and revising of the manuscript. MV, ZM, HAN, SH, AK, SS and RF contributed to interpreting the data and drafting and revising the manuscript. All authors approved the submitted version of the manuscript. All authors have contributed to the preparation of the manuscript, have read, and approved the submitted manuscript. All authors listed meet the authorship criteria according to the latest guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and agree with the manuscript. The work is original and not under consideration by any other journal.

Funding

This article was approved and financially supported by the Research Vice-chancellor of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (grant No. 1400-9-9-22591).

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [HGH], upon reasonable request.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The Ethics Committee approved this study at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (IR.SUMS.REC.1400.650).

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Footnotes

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Zahra Maleki and Mohebat Vali contributed equally to this work.

Contributor Information

Zahra Maleki, Email: maleki5146@gmail.com.

Mohebat Vali, Email: mohebatvali@gmail.com.

Hossein-Ali Nikbakht, Email: ep.nikbakht@gmail.com.

Soheil Hassanipour, Email: soheil.epid@gmail.com.

Aida Kouhi, Email: Kouhi@usc.edu.

Saman Sedighi, Email: ss_039@usc.edu.

Roya Farokhi, Email: farokhi.roya2@gmail.com.

Haleh Ghaem, Email: ghaemh@sums.ac.ir.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary Material 1 (13.8KB, docx)
Supplementary Material 2 (26.1KB, docx)
Supplementary Material 3 (24.4KB, docx)

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [HGH], upon reasonable request.


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