[Conventional and experimental prognostic factors in ovarian cancer]

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecologic malignancies in western countries. In the clinical day treatment decision of the physician (e. g. surgery, chemotherapy) based on individual prognostic factors of the patient with ovarian cancer. The tumor stage at time of diagnosis and the postoperative residual tumor mass are prognostic factors and are unequivocally related to overall survival. Other prognostic factors are identified mostly in small series and are discussed in the literature controversially. This article discussing the value of conventional prognostic factors, as stage, postoperative tumor mass, age, lymph node status, ascites) and newer molecular biological factors, as Her-2-status, PAI-1, MMP, VEGF and CD24.