[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in ovarian carcinoma stage III-IV]

Hyperexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often identified as unfavorable prognosis for different epithelial cancers. The study was concerned with an attempt of establishing a relationship between EGFR expression, on the one hand, and patient's clinico-morphological status, prognosis and efficacy of chemotherapy for stage III-IV serous ovarian carcinoma, on the other. EGFR hyperexpression predominated in advanced aggressive tumors and involved a significantly shorter period preceding tumor progression. Similarly, overall survival median in patients with EGFR hyperexpression (21+/-4 months) appeared lower than without it (42+/-8 months). In serous ovarian carcinoma stage III-IV, EGFR hyperexpression should be considered sufficient for prognosis of chemotherapy efficacy, pre-progression time and survival.