Genitourinary disease risks among ovarian cancer survivors in a population-based cohort study

While genitourinary complications during treatment for ovarian cancer are well-known, long-term adverse outcomes have not been well characterized. The number of ovarian cancer survivors has been increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term adverse genitourinary outcomes in a population-based cohort.

We identified a cohort of 1270 ovarian cancer survivors diagnosed between 1996 and 2012 from the Utah Cancer Registry, and 5286 cancer-free women were matched on birth year and state from the Utah Population Database. Genitourinary disease diagnoses were identified through ICD-9 codes from electronic medical records and statewide healthcare facilities data. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for genitourinary outcomes at 1 to <5 years and 5+ years after ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Ovarian cancer survivors had increased risks for urinary system disorders (HR: 2.53, 95% CI: 2.12-3.01) and genital organ disorders (HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.57-2.27) between 1 and <5 years after cancer diagnosis compared to the general population cohort. Increased risks were observed for acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, calculus of kidney, hydronephrosis, pelvic peritoneal adhesions, and pelvic organ inflammatory conditions. Increased risks of several of these diseases were observed 5+ years after cancer diagnosis.

Ovarian cancer survivors experience increased risks of various genitourinary diseases compared to women in the general population in the long-term. Understanding the multimorbidity trajectory among ovarian cancer survivors is important to improve clinical care after cancer treatment is completed.