[A case-control study on etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer in Shandong Province]

Among gynecologic malignant tumors, Ovarian cancer has the second highest incidence and is the leading cause of death. Some factors are related to the genesis of ovarian cancer, but the etiology is still unclear. This study was to explore the risk factors and pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.

A total of 307 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 307 matched women with other benign diseases, treated simultaneously in 19 hospitals in Shandong Province, were enrolled. Conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze 105 factors.

Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed the risk factors for developing ovarian cancer included higher education, higher income, increased years of ovulation, prolonged period of intrauterine device (IUD) placement, high fat, sweet and meat diet, irregular defecation, constipation, occupation contacting harmful substance, depressed, anxious, impatient, or stressed mood, spirit stimulation, and family history of ovarian cancer in first-degree relatives; the protective factors for preventing ovarian cancer included lower education, prolonged menstrual cycle, prolonged interval between marriage and pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, prolonged lactation, prolonged interval between delivery and recovery of menstruation, hysterectomy, high vegetable and fruits diet, and mild temper. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged menstrual cycle, multiple pregnancies, high vegetable and fruits diet, and mild temper were protective factors, while prolonged period of IUD placement, high meat diet, and spirit stimulation were high-risk factors.

The etiology of ovarian cancer involves interaction of many factors rather than any single factor.