An analysis of clinical characteristics and prognosis of endometrioid ovarian cancer based on the SEER database and two centers in China

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical characteristics and the risk factors related to the unfavorable prognosis of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (EOVC) based on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and two clinical centers in China. METHODS: Data were extracted from the SEER database and two clinical centers in China (2010 ~ 2021), 884 cases and 87 patients with EOVC were selected, respectively. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared among the different groups using Kaplan–Meier analysis. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors related to EOVC. A nomogram was constructed based on the risk factors of the SEER database affecting prognosis and the discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were evaluated by C-index and calibration curves. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis of patients with EOVC in the SEER database and two centers in China was 55.77 ± 12.40 years and 47.14 ± 11.50 years, 84.7% and 66.6% of them were diagnosed at FIGO stage I ~ II, respectively. In the SEER database, age over 70 years, advanced FIGO stage, tumor grade 3, only unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were independent risk factors of unfavorable prognosis. In two clinical centers in China, 27.6% of EOVC patients were diagnosed with synchronous endometriosis. Advanced FIGO stage, HE4 > 179 pmol/L and bilateral ovarian involvement significantly correlated with poor OS and PFS in Kaplan–Meier analysis. Body mass index (BMI) < 19.34 kg/m(2) was an independent risk factor relating to OS and PFS. Additionally, C-index of internal and external verification for the nomogram were 0.812 and 0.754 respectively, revealing good accuracy and clinical applicability. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were diagnosed at early stage, low grade and had better prognosis. Asian/Pacific Islander and Chinese diagnosed with EOVC were more likely to be younger than whites and blacks. Age, tumor grade and FIGO stage (SEER database) and BMI (two centers) are independent prognostic factors. HE4 appears to be more valuable in prognostic assessment compared with CA125. The nomogram had good discrimination and calibration for predicting prognosis, providing a convenient and reliable tool for clinical decision-making for patients with EOVC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-023-11048-1.