Ovarian Cancer Stages, Survival Rates and Treatment.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aditya Sarin, MD, DrNB

Oncology · Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi

Ovarian Cancer —
Know the Facts.
Take Control Early.

A comprehensive guide to understanding ovarian cancer — its types, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options — by Dr. Aditya Sarin, Medical Oncologist.

📅 Book an Appointment 📞 +91 93151 25514

Medical Disclaimer

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every case of ovarian cancer is different. Please consult Dr. Aditya Sarin or a qualified oncologist for evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to your condition.

~3rd

Most common
gynaecological cancer
in women globally

Section 02

Types of Ovarian Cancer

Most Common

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Originates in the outer layer (epithelium) of the ovary. Accounts for the majority of ovarian cancer diagnoses.

Rare

Germ Cell Tumors

Develops in the egg-producing cells. Mostly found in younger women and generally has a favorable prognosis.

Uncommon

Stromal Tumors

Arise from the connective tissue of the ovary that produces hormones. Can cause hormonal symptoms alongside tumor growth.

Section 01

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries — the reproductive glands responsible for producing eggs and hormones. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because early-stage symptoms are vague and easily overlooked, meaning the disease frequently goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage.

Understanding the warning signs, risk factors, and screening options is essential for early detection and improved outcomes. If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent symptoms, prompt evaluation by a specialist is strongly advised.

Section 03

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague and non-specific, which is why they are frequently mistaken for common digestive or menstrual issues. Be vigilant if you experience any of the following persistently for more than two to three weeks:

Persistent bloating or abdominal swelling

Pelvic pain or discomfort

Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly

Frequent urination or changes in bowel habits

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue and persistent back pain

Section 04

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of ovarian cancer is not fully understood. However, several factors are known to increase a woman's risk of developing the disease:

Genetics & Family History

BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations and family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer significantly raise risk.

Age

Most cases occur in women over 50, with the highest incidence observed after menopause.

Reproductive History

Women who have never been pregnant, or who had their first pregnancy after age 35, have a comparatively higher risk.

Hormonal Factors

Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly estrogen alone, may increase risk.

Lifestyle Factors

Obesity, smoking, and diets high in saturated fat may contribute to a moderately elevated risk of ovarian cancer.

Endometriosis

Women diagnosed with endometriosis have a slightly higher risk of developing certain types of ovarian cancer.

Section 05

Screening & Early Detection

There are currently no routine population-wide screening tests for ovarian cancer. However, women at elevated risk or experiencing persistent symptoms can benefit from the following early detection methods:

Pelvic Examination

A physical check by a doctor for any abnormalities in the ovaries or surrounding structures.
Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS)

Imaging to detect the presence of ovarian tumors, cysts, or structural changes.
CA-125 Blood Test

Measures CA-125 protein levels, which may be elevated in the presence of ovarian cancer.
Genetic Testing

Recommended for women with a strong family history; identifies BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations early.

Section 06

Stages of Ovarian Cancer

Staging describes how far the cancer has spread beyond the ovary and directly shapes the treatment approach. Ovarian cancer is most often staged using the FIGO system, developed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, alongside the AJCC TNM system. This staging guidance is current as of 2026.

Stage

What it means

Stage I

Cancer is confined to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes and has not spread beyond them.

Stage II

Cancer has spread to other pelvic organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes, but remains within the pelvis.

Stage III

Cancer has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen or to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV

Cancer has spread to distant organs outside the abdomen, such as the liver, spleen or lungs.

Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at Stage III or IV because early stage disease rarely produces noticeable symptoms. This is a central reason it is often described as a silent disease, and why any persistent symptoms in Section 03 warrant prompt evaluation rather than a wait and watch approach.

Source: American Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Stages.

Section 07

Survival Rates by Stage

Survival statistics are population averages. They describe outcomes across large groups of patients and do not predict what will happen to any individual patient.

Ovarian cancer survival rate in the United States

Stage at diagnosis

5-year rate

Localized — confined to the ovary

92%

Regional — spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes

71%

Distant — spread to other organs

32%

All stages combined

51%

Source: American Cancer Society, Survival Rates for Ovarian Cancer, based on SEER data for women diagnosed between 2015 and 2021.

Ovarian cancer survival rate in India

Nationally representative, stage-wise survival data specific to ovarian cancer is limited in India. The most cited population based figure comes from a Mumbai registry study, and it is older data, so it should be read as directional rather than a current national benchmark.

Measure

Value

Overall 5-year relative survival rate, Mumbai population based registry

25.4%

Localized stage

54.7–69.3%

Regional stage

20.4–41.6%

Source: Yeole BB, et al., Population-based survival from cancers of breast, cervix and ovary in women in Mumbai, India, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2004.

Section 08

Treatment Options

Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the stage, type, and overall health of the patient. A multidisciplinary approach combining the following options is common in modern oncology:

Surgery

Removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and affected lymph nodes to eliminate primary tumor burden.

Chemotherapy

Drug-based treatment to kill cancer cells, typically given before or after surgery (neoadjuvant or adjuvant).

Targeted Therapy

Precision agents such as PARP inhibitors that target cancer-specific molecular pathways to block growth.

Hormone Therapy

Used in hormone-sensitive subtypes to slow the spread of cancer by blocking hormone production.

Immunotherapy

Harnesses the patient's immune system using checkpoint inhibitors to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Section 09

Latest Advances in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ovarian cancer treatment, particularly for recurrent and platinum-resistant disease, has seen meaningful new options over the past year. As of 2026, notable developments include the following.

FDA Accelerated Approval · May 8, 2025

First approved treatment for low-grade serous ovarian cancer

On May 8, 2025, the FDA granted accelerated approval to avutometinib combined with defactinib for adults with recurrent, KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer who have received at least one prior therapy — the first approved treatment for this subtype.

Source: Targeted Oncology — New Approaches Reshape Treatment Across Ovarian Cancer Settings, 2025.

FDA Approval · March 25, 2026

New option for platinum-resistant disease

On March 25, 2026, the FDA approved relacorilant combined with nab-paclitaxel for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, based on the Phase 3 ROSELLA trial.

Source: CancerNetwork — FDA Approves Relacorilant Combo in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancers, 2026.

Phase 3 Trial Data · 2025

Emerging immunotherapy data

The Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B96 trial, reported in 2025, showed a benefit from pembrolizumab combined with weekly paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, in selected patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. This is trial data, not yet an approved indication.

Source: Ovarian Cancer in 2026 — New Treatment Developments.

Breakthrough Therapy · Late 2025 – Jan 2026

Antibody-drug conjugates in the pipeline

Raludotatug deruxtecan and sofetabart mipitecan received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation in late 2025 and January 2026 for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer — a status that speeds up review but is not the same as full approval.

Source: FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) — New FDA approval and two Breakthrough Therapy drugs for ovarian cancer, 2026.

Whether any of these apply to a given patient depends on tumour subtype, biomarker status and prior treatment history, and should be discussed directly with a gynaecologic oncologist.

Section 10

Living with Ovarian Cancer

"A cancer diagnosis is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of a journey where the right support, the right treatment, and the right mindset make all the difference."

— Dr. Aditya Sarin, Medical Oncologist

Regular post-treatment follow-ups and monitoring for recurrence are essential.

A nutrient-rich diet helps maintain strength, immunity, and energy during treatment.

Emotional and psychological counseling supports both patient and family through the journey.

Support groups connect patients with others facing similar challenges for shared resilience.

Palliative care and rehabilitation ensure quality of life throughout every stage of treatment.

Section 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Ovarian Cancer

What is the earliest sign of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer rarely causes clear early symptoms, which is why it is often called a silent disease. Persistent bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, or changes in urination or bowel habits lasting more than two to three weeks are the most common early warning signs and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Is there a screening test for ovarian cancer?

There is currently no reliable population-wide screening test for ovarian cancer, unlike mammography for breast cancer. Women at elevated risk, such as those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations or a strong family history, may be offered a combination of transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 blood testing, though neither is accurate enough for routine screening in average-risk women.

Can ovarian cancer be detected through a blood test alone?

Not reliably on its own. The CA-125 blood test can be elevated in ovarian cancer, but it can also be elevated due to unrelated, non-cancerous conditions, and some ovarian cancers do not raise CA-125 at all. It is generally used alongside imaging and clinical evaluation rather than as a standalone diagnostic test.

Why is ovarian cancer often diagnosed at a late stage?

Only about 22 percent of cases are caught while still localized to the ovary, largely because early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for digestive or menstrual issues. This is why persistent symptoms, even mild ones, deserve prompt medical evaluation rather than being dismissed.

What is the difference between epithelial, germ cell and stromal ovarian tumours?

Epithelial tumours arise from the outer surface of the ovary and account for the majority of cases, typically in older women. Germ cell tumours arise from egg-producing cells, mostly affect younger women, and generally carry a more favourable prognosis. Stromal tumours arise from hormone-producing connective tissue and can cause distinct hormonal symptoms.

Are BRCA mutations relevant to ovarian cancer treatment, not just risk?

Yes. Beyond raising risk, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status can directly influence treatment choice, since tumours with these mutations tend to respond well to a class of targeted drugs called PARP inhibitors. Genetic testing at diagnosis, not only for family history purposes, is now a standard part of ovarian cancer care.

Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

Most ovarian cancers are not directly inherited, but a meaningful proportion, particularly among epithelial tumours, are linked to inherited mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 or Lynch syndrome. A family history of ovarian, breast or colorectal cancer is a reason to discuss genetic counselling with an oncologist.

What is the best treatment approach for Ovarian Cancer in Delhi?

Effective ovarian cancer treatment in Delhi depends heavily on how early it is caught, along with accurate genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, since this can determine whether targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors are a suitable option. Dr. Aditya Sarin offers this genetic testing and biomarker-driven treatment pathway for ovarian cancer patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

Section 12 · Why Dr. Aditya Sarin

Why Trust Dr. Aditya Sarin for Ovarian Cancer Care?

ESMO Board Certified · Harvard Trained · Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi

Expert Oncologists

Specialists with extensive experience in gynaecological oncology and ovarian cancer treatment.

Advanced Facilities

Access to cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, molecular profiling, and the latest cancer therapies.

Personalised Treatment

Tailored care plans designed around each patient's unique diagnosis, stage, and clinical profile.

Comprehensive Support

Emotional counselling, nutritional guidance, and rehabilitation services for whole-patient care.

Mon – Fri (Morning) 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Mon – Fri (Evening) 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Saturday - Sunday Closed

Early Detection Saves Lives

"If you experience persistent symptoms, don't wait — act today."

Book an appointment with Dr. Aditya Sarin to receive a thorough evaluation, expert diagnosis, and a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.

📅 Book Your Appointment

+91 93151 25514 +91 78386 82838 dradityasarin@gmail.com

Ovarian Cancer —Know the Facts.Take Control Early.