INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynaecological cancers and is the tenth most frequent cancer among women. 80% of patients with advanced stage disease will experience a progression either during or after treatment.

METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of all women referred to adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment for ovarian cancer between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014 at two university hospitals in Denmark.

RESULTS: We included 142 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The median overall survival from diagnosis was 48.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.6-57.9 months). Median survival after the first, second, third, fourth and fifth progression was 19.3 (95% CI: 13.9-27-3), 11.4 (95% CI: 7.7-18.8), 9.5 (95% CI: 6.3-12.7), 8.3 (95% CI: 7.6-11.5) and 5.6 
(95% CI: 2.9-not assessed) months, respectively. Median progression-free survival from diagnosis was 15.6 months (95% CI: 14.3-18.4 months). Median progression-free survival after first, second, third, fourth and fifth progression was 9.2 (95% CI: 7.7-10.6), 6.0 (95% CI: 3.5-7.7), 3.3 (95% CI: 2.6-4.6), 4.9 (95% CI: 3.6-8.3) and 3.0 (95% CI: 2.4-5.7) months, respectively. The most frequently used treatment at first progression was carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (n = 37). The most used non-platinum containing treatment at progression was pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (n = 26) followed by paclitaxel (n = 23).

CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian cancer remains a highly aggressive disease with most patients diagnosed in advanced stages. Treatment has not changed much in the past 15 years and the same is evident for the overall survival.

FUNDING: Tobias Berg received an unrestricted research grant from the Danish Cancer Society.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.