Ovarian cancer in Asia: incidence, mortality in 2022, and future projections to 2050

Ovarian cancer continues to carry a poor prognosis, particularly in resource-limited settings. Using estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, we conducted a secondary analysis of ovarian cancer burden across 47 Asian countries in 2022 and projected the burden through 2050. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR, ASMR) were obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022, using the Segi–Doll standard population. Associations with the Human Development Index (HDI) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Age–period–cohort (APC) modeling was applied to explore generational risk patterns based on mortality data from 1993 to 2022. In 2022, Asia accounted for 178.2 thousand new cases and 109.5 thousand deaths. ASIR and ASMR were 6.2 and 3.7 per 100,000, respectively. Brunei Darussalam exhibited the highest incidence (13.2 per 100,000), and the Philippines had the highest mortality (7.5 per 100,000). APC analysis revealed higher cohort-specific risks among women born in more recent birth cohorts relative to those born in 1949–1957 (reference cohort). ASIR ( r = 0.425, P < 0.05) and ASMR ( r = 0.309, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with HDI among women aged ≥ 50 years. High body-mass index emerged as the leading modifiable risk factor contributing to mortality, with the highest contributions in Kuwait (22.3%), Qatar (21.3%) and Jordan (20.2%). Under constant rates, ovarian cancer cases and deaths in Asia are projected to rise to 265.9 thousand and 183.6 thousand by 2050, with the fastest increases in low-HDI countries (124% cases; 137% deaths). These findings highlight substantial heterogeneity across countries, generations, and development levels, underscoring the need for age-targeted, development-sensitive prevention and health-system strategies in Asia.