OVARIAN CANCER STATISTICSWHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a disease of the ovary, fallopian tubes and peritoneum, and unlike other cancers, there is currently no screening available to detect it early. Ovarian cancer tends to go undetected until it is in an advanced stage since symptoms don't usually arise in the early stages of the disease.

Ovarian Cancer Facts and Statistics

     Diagnoses Per Year

• In 2025, approximately 20,890 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the US
• Approximately 12,730 ovarian cancer-related deaths occur in the US each year
• A woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 91
• 600 to 700 new cases annually in Michigan

Demographics & Disparities

• Ovarian cancer is most frequently diagnosed among women aged 55-64 years old. The median age at diagnosis in the US is 63 years old.
• The rate of new cases of ovarian cancer is highest among American Indian/Alaska Native, followed by White, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black women.

More information can be found at the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

Types of Ovarian Cancer

     There are three main locations tumors can arise in the ovaries: the epithelium, germ cells, and the stroma.

• Epithelial tumors start from the cells on the outer surface of the ovary (epithelium), the Fallopian tube or the peritoneal lining of the abdomen. This is the most common kind of “ovarian” tumor. Types of tumors that fall under this category include cystadenoma, borderline tumors, and invasive cancers. 
• Germ cell tumors start from the cells that produce the eggs. Types of germ cell tumors include teratomas, embryonal carcinoma, dysgerminomas, endodermal sinus tumors, and choriocarcinoma.
• Stromal tumors start from the cells that hold the ovary together and produce the hormones. Stromal tumors include granulosa cell tumors, Sertoli Leydig tumors, and fibromas.

     More information on the various ovarian tumor types can be found at the American Cancer Society.