【Objective】 This study aimed to explore the expression patterns of c-Kit and phospho-c-Kit (Tyr719) in epithelial ovarian cancer. 【Methods】 A total of 82 patients of epithelial ovarian carcer who were treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were enrolled along with 25 patients with benign ovarian lesions and 10 normal ovarian tissues served as controls. Expression of c-Kit and phospho-c-Kit (Tyr719) was examined using immunohistochemistry. 【Results】 As compared to the control group

a significantly greater proportion of ovarian cancer tissues were positive for c-Kit (P < 0.05). C-Kit expression was negatively correlated with FIGO stage. The positive rate of phospho-c-Kit (Tyr719) in ovarian cancer was low and there was no significant difference between the study group and the control group. 【Conclusions】 The increased c-Kit expression in epithelial ovarian cancer suggests that c-Kit may play a role in carcinogenesis of ovarian cancer. C-Kit expression was negatively correlated with FIGO stage. This result suggests that c-Kit may play a role in the early stages of ovarian cancer development. The phosphorylation in Tyr719 of c-Kit protein may not be the main mechanism of c-Kit in carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer.