Prognostic parameters in patients with advanced ovarian malignant tumors

The role of a number of parameters was evaluated in 172 patients with advanced ovarian tumors. The clinical stage appears to be one of the most important of these parameters. Thus 3 years survival of patients in stage II was 40% whereas of those in stage IV only 5%. Granulosa cell tumors and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas presented the best prognosis while patients with undifferentiated and endometrioid carcinomas had a shorter survival. Patients with well differentiated tumors had a 3 year survival of 28% and those with poorly differentiated neoplasms 10%. Women under the age 50 showed a better prognosis than those over 50. The 3 year survival rate with residual tumors measuring less than 2 cm in diameter was 55% and that with residual tumors of more than 2 cm 18%. These parameters should therefore be carefully considered when therapy is being planned and when results of various therapeutic procedures are being compared.