This study investigates the expression of interleukin (IL)-17 (IL-17A and IL-17D) and its role in ovarian epithelial tumor and its correlation with the clinical characteristics. Fifty malignant ovarian epithelial tumor specimens were collected after surgery and set as group A. Ten benign epithelioma specimens and ten normal epithelial specimens were set as group B and C, respectively. The expression of IL-17A and IL-17D in the three groups was detected using the EnVision method, and the correlation of positive expression rate with pathological type, clinical stage, presence of ascites and differentiation degree was analyzed. Group A had higher expression of IL-17A and IL-17D compared to group B and C (p less than 0.05). The expression rate was in correlation to clinical stage and differentiation degree, but in no correlation to pathological type and presence of ascites. The expression rate of malignant epithelioma in the early stage was lower than that in the late stage (p less than 0.05). Lower differentiation degree indicated higher expression rate (p less than 0.05). Pathological type and presence of ascites had no remarkable influence on the expression rate (p>0.05). Study of the expression of IL-17 provides theoretical support for the clinical treatment and prognosis prediction of ovarian epithelial tumor.