J Gynecol Oncol.  2010 Dec;21(4):241-247. 10.3802/jgo.2010.21.4.241.

Epidemiological characteristics of ovarian cancer in Korea

• Park B
• Park S
• Kim TJ
• Ma SH
• Kim BG
• Kim YM
• Kim JW
• Kang S
• Kim J
• Kim TJ
• Yoo KY
• Park SK

• KMID: 2173548
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2010.21.4.241

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to examine recent trends in ovarian cancer incidence and mortality and secular trends in demographic factors in Korea.
METHODS
With the data from Korea Central Cancer Registry, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Korean Death Registry, and World Health Organization's Statistical Information System, we calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for ovarian cancer. Also we estimated future incidence of ovarian and cervical cancer using linear regression model. To assess the demographic trend, data from national surveys in Korea or results from published papers were searched.
RESULTS
Ovarian cancer incidence rate was similar to that in women worldwide but lower than those in Western countries, and the trend has been increased steadily. Ovarian cancer-related mortality rates have been increasing in Korea, even though those in western and some Asian countries, such as China, have been decreasing. Age-specific incidence rate and mortality rate showed steep increases with advancing age. The incidence rate of ovarian cancer was estimated to surpass that of uterine cervix cancer in 2015. Korea showed rapid changes in nutritional, reproductive, and anthropometric factors.
CONCLUSION
These recent trends in ovarian cancer incidence and mortality may be partly attributed to gradual westernizing of life styles and to changes in socio-demographic behavior factors. In particular, the increasing trend in ovarian cancer mortality in Korea may be attributed to a real rise in mortality as well as, in part, a decline in misclassification bias related to an increase in the proportion of deaths confirmed by physician diagnosis.

Keyword

Ovarian neoplasms; Epidemiology; Incidence; Mortality

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Bias (Epidemiology)
Cervix Uteri
China
Demography
Female
Humans
Incidence
Information Systems
International Agencies
Korea
Life Style
Linear Models
Ovarian Neoplasms
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
World Health

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Changes in dietary patterns in Korea.

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  Fig. 2 Global incidence rates (age-standardized, Segi standard population) for ovarian cancers. Source: Globocan, 2008. IARC, 2010.

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  Fig. 3 Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for ovarian cancer in USA, UK, Japan and Korea. Incidence rate source: Globocan, 2008. IARC, 2010. Mortality rate source: KOSIS, 1983-2005. SEER, 1975-2007.

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  Fig. 4 Age-specific incidence (1999-2007) and mortality rate (1983-2008) in Korea.

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  Fig. 5 Yearly changes in age-specific incidence (1999-2007) and mortality rates (1983-2008) in Korea.

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  Fig. 6 Future incidence rate estimation in ovarian cancer and uterine cervix cancer in Korea.

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