Incidence of the histologic types of ovarian cancer: The U.S. Third National Cancer Survey, 1969–1971

Abstract

Using data gathered in the U.S. Third National Cancer Survey, 1969–1971, the incidence of the major histologic types of primary ovarian cancer, as well as the variation in that incidence according to several demographic characteristics, was examined. All types of ovarian cancer except germ cell tumors increased in incidence until the seventh and eighth decades of life, after which the rates plateaued. Epithelial tumors were equally common in young whites and blacks but were substantially more common in whites among middle-aged and older women. The incidence of nonepithelial ovarian tumors was similar in the two races. Rates of epithelial tumors were greatest in single women, whereas nonepithelial tumor occurrence showed no correlation with marital status. There was little variation among the ovarian epithelial tumors in their relationship to age, race, and marital status, although true associations may have been obscured because of classification inconsistencies in the data.