Radiotherapy in the treatment of ovarian dysgerminomas

Between 1969 and 1983 a total of 14 patients with ovarian dysgerminoma were treated at the Institute of Oncology and Radiotherapy, the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick. The case records of these patients have been reviewed for presenting symptoms, treatment given, and survival following treatment. Excluded from analysis are patients with mixed ovarian germ cell tumors (dysgerminoma and teratoma). Data includes three patients referred with recurrent or residual tumor after primary surgery. Ten patients remain alive (72%). All four patients who died had recurrent intra-abdominal tumor, with or without distant metastases at the time of death. Median duration of follow-up of living patients was 54 months. Survival of those dead ranged from 8 to 168 months following treatment. The place of radiotherapy in treatment is discussed.