Comparative Histopathological Analysis of Ovarian Tumors with an Emphasis on High-Grade Serous Carcinoma Prevalence

Background: Ovarian cancer is the world's second most frequent gynecologic malignancy, accounting for the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women in developed countries. Ovarian tumors present with diverse histopathological diagnoses. Objective: To determine the prevalence and histological examination of various forms of ovarian malignancies. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Settings: Pathology Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration: 01 January to 31 December, 2023. Methods: 146 ovarian tumor specimens were collected over one year. All confirmed histopathological cases of ovarian tumors were selected in the study. The collected data was analyzed through SPSS-26. The Chi-square test was applied to find the significant associations between categorical parameters. Results: Among the 146 specimens, high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) was frequently observed, accounting for 31.5% of cases, followed by clear cell carcinoma (4.1%), mucinous carcinoma (4.1%), and endometrioid carcinoma (4.1%). Geographic analysis revealed significant variations in HGSC prevalence, with Peshawar showing the highest number of HGSC cases 28.2% (n=22/7). A statistically significant association has been determined between geographic location and HGSC diagnosis (p=0.006). Conclusion: It is concluded that the HGSC was the most prevalent ovarian tumor case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with significant geographic variations. Enhancing awareness, early detection, and standardized diagnostic practices are essential to improve patient outcomes.