Ovarian cancer was reported to be increasing in all developed countries, with the exception of Japan. This increase may partly be due to modified reproductive habits which caused a rise in the age of the first pregnancy, a decrease in the number of pregnancies and a shortening of lactation period. To these factors must be added an extension of ovarian activity caused by early menarche and late menopause. For the reasons stated above and in view of the high mortality of this tumor, a survival study was performed with patients who had undergone operations for ovarian cancer from 1985 to 1990 at the National Cancer Institute in Naples (356 beds, 6500 admissions yearly) where the Hospital Cancer Registry (RTO) is an active service. A total of 159 patients was studied; three of them were lost during the follow-up. The results show a good survival rate both global (28%) and in each stage; a few differences with respect to histological type were also detected.