Bowel obstruction in patients with ovarian carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors

A retrospective study was performed in which patients with both bowel obstruction and ovarian carcinoma admitted to the gynecologic oncology service at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center between July 1, 1980, and June 30, 1987, were examined. Thirty-three patients were identified who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for bowel obstruction that did not occur in the postoperative period. Historical, physical, nutritional, and laboratory variables thought to contribute to patient survival were evaluated by a retrospective chart review. Survival time was not significantly related to presence or absence of tumor at obstruction, type of intervention whether medical or surgical, patient age, or interval from initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer to obstruction. Survival time was found to be significantly related to the prognostic index initially proposed by H. B. Krebs and D. R. Goplerud [Obstet. Gynecol. 61, 327-330 (1983)], P = 0.002. This prognostic index incorporates a multifactorial assessment of patient status including age, nutritional status, tumor spread, ascites, and prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy and can be used to evaluate patients at the time of presentation with intestinal obstruction and to help select optimal treatment for palliation.