Lotus flower emerging from chromosomes, symbolizing resilience in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer in Taiwan: What the 30-Year Trends Mean for You

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A closer look at the rising incidence, survival rates, and key factors impacting epithelial ovarian cancer outcomes in Taiwan, and what you can learn from it."

Ovarian cancer is a serious health concern for women around the world. Early diagnosis can be difficult, and outcomes depend on many factors. To better understand how this disease is changing, researchers analyzed 30 years of data on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Taiwan. This data provides valuable insights into incidence, survival, and what factors contribute to better outcomes. Discovering these trends can drive awareness and potentially lead to proactive steps for women's health.

From 1979 to 2008, the number of EOC cases in Taiwan steadily increased. The study also revealed shifts in the types of EOC diagnosed and the ages at which women were diagnosed. This comprehensive analysis highlights the importance of ongoing research to track disease patterns and inform public health strategies.

This article breaks down the key findings of this research, explaining what these trends mean for understanding ovarian cancer risks and improving outcomes. Specifically, you'll learn about the factors impacting survival rates, including the type of EOC, the age at diagnosis, and the time period in which treatment occurred.

Key Trends in Ovarian Cancer Incidence and Diagnosis

Lotus flower emerging from chromosomes, symbolizing resilience in ovarian cancer.

The Taiwan study revealed a significant increase in the incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer over the 30-year study period. The age-adjusted incidence rates climbed from 1.01 per 100,000 person-years in 1979-1984 to 6.33 per 100,000 person-years in 2005-2008. This means ovarian cancer became considerably more common in Taiwan over these decades. The largest increases were seen in serous and clear cell carcinoma.

Alongside the rising incidence, researchers observed a shift in the age of diagnosis. The average age at diagnosis decreased from 60 to 50 years old. This trend emphasizes the need for increased awareness and earlier screening among women in their 50s.

Rising Incidence: The rate of ovarian cancer has significantly increased in Taiwan over the past 30 years.
Younger Diagnosis: Women are being diagnosed at a younger age than in the past.
Type Matters: Serous and clear cell carcinoma are becoming more common.

To ensure these findings accurately reflect reality and aren't skewed by registry practices, researchers compared EOC incidence rates with those of female gastric cancer. The increasing trend observed in ovarian cancer was not mirrored in gastric cancer, reinforcing the conclusion that the rise in EOC incidence is a genuine trend.

What This Means for You and the Future of Ovarian Cancer Care

This study underscores the importance of understanding how ovarian cancer patterns are evolving. The findings highlight the need for increased awareness, earlier detection, and tailored treatment strategies.

The study revealed that certain types of EOC, such as mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinomas, were associated with better long-term survival compared to serous carcinoma. Undifferentiated carcinoma and carcinosarcoma had poorer outcomes. This information reinforces the importance of accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans based on histological type.

While the study didn't have detailed data on specific treatments, it did find that patients diagnosed and treated after 2000 had better survival rates. This suggests that improvements in treatment approaches, such as the introduction of paclitaxel-platinum chemotherapy, have positively impacted outcomes. This highlights the importance of continued research and adoption of innovative treatment strategies.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3802/jgo.2013.24.4.342, Alternate LINK

Title: Trends In Incidence And Survival Outcome Of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: 30-Year National Population-Based Registry In Taiwan

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: Journal of Gynecologic Oncology

Publisher: Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology; Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology and Colposcopy

Authors: Ying-Cheng Chiang, Chi-An Chen, Chun-Ju Chiang, Tsui-Hsia Hsu, Ming-Chieh Lin, San-Lin You, Wen-Fang Cheng, Mei-Shu Lai

Published: 2013-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What were the key trends observed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) incidence in Taiwan over the past 30 years?

The study in Taiwan revealed a significant increase in the incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) over the past 30 years, with the age-adjusted rates climbing from 1.01 per 100,000 person-years to 6.33 per 100,000 person-years. This indicates that EOC has become substantially more prevalent in Taiwan. Furthermore, the distribution of EOC subtypes has shifted, with serous and clear cell carcinoma becoming more common.

How has the average age at diagnosis for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) changed in Taiwan, and what does this imply?

The Taiwan study observed that the average age at diagnosis for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has decreased from 60 to 50 years old. This trend suggests that women are being diagnosed at a younger age than in the past. This shift underscores the importance of increased awareness and earlier screening among women in their 50s to improve the likelihood of early detection and better outcomes.

Does the study focus on all types of ovarian cancer, or is it specific to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)?

The study in Taiwan focused specifically on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), which is the most common type of ovarian cancer. The research analyzed the incidence, survival rates, and factors influencing outcomes for this specific type of ovarian cancer. While other types of ovarian cancer exist, such as those originating from germ cells or stromal cells, they were not the primary focus of this particular study. Future research could explore trends and outcomes in these less common types to provide a more comprehensive understanding of ovarian cancer in Taiwan.

What are the broader implications of the rising epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) incidence in Taiwan for women's health?

The increasing incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Taiwan underscores the need for increased awareness, earlier detection, and tailored treatment strategies. Understanding these evolving patterns is crucial for informing public health initiatives and improving outcomes for women at risk. By recognizing the changing landscape of EOC, healthcare professionals and policymakers can implement proactive measures to address this growing health concern.

How did the researchers ensure that the increasing trend in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) incidence was a genuine phenomenon and not due to data collection issues?

The Taiwan study compared epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) incidence rates with those of female gastric cancer to ensure the observed trends accurately reflected reality and weren't influenced by registry practices. The increasing trend observed in EOC was not mirrored in gastric cancer. This comparison reinforces the conclusion that the rise in EOC incidence is a genuine trend and not merely an artifact of data collection methods.