OBJECTIVES: Ovarian cancer (OC) is responsible for 3.6% of gynecological neoplasms but represents the main cause of death. The high OC mortality rate of 3.62 deaths per 100,000 women in Brazil is associated with its non-specific symptomatology and lack of specific screening test. This study investigated OC mortality rates by tumor characteristic in a Brazilian reference women healthcare public hospital.

METHODS: This retrospective OC mortality study used database from a reference public hospital in Brazil. Included patients were aged ≥18 years with ICD-10 codes for OC (C56, C57, and C48.2; 48.1), between 2010 and 2021. Mortality rate was calculated within each tumor characteristic subgroup (histology, tumor staging, tumor, and relapse site) by dividing the number of deaths by the total patients with the studied characteristics.

RESULTS: Of the 375 patients included 108 died, representing a general OC mortality rate of 29%. Mean age at death was 64 years and mean time from diagnosis to death was 1.7 years. In the subgroups analysis, the mortality rates for papillary histology (44%), tumor stage III/IV (36%), bilateral ovarian tumors (35%), and multiple (66%) or pulmonary relapse sites (74%) were higher than the general mortality rate (29%). Mortality rate by tumor differentiation was similar to the general mortality rate; however, it was observed that a lower mortality rate was associated with surgery (irrespective of tumor site – right, left, or bilateral). Interpreting tumor characteristics, OC treatment, and mortality correlations requires caution due to limited events, database restrictions, and disease complexity.

CONCLUSIONS: OC prognosis depends on combined tumor characteristics. Analysis indicated higher mortality rates were associated with papillary histology, tumor stage III/IV, bilateral tumors, and multiple/pulmonary relapse sites. Conversely, a lower mortality rate was associated with surgical intervention. This highlights the importance of optimal surgery, early diagnosis, and the need to improve later-stage treatment for patients.