[Prognostic factors in patients with stage I epithelial ovarian cancer]

From 1962 to 1989, 67 patients with stage I epithelial ovarian cancer were treated in our hospital. They were divided into three groups according to the time period of treatment. Thirteen patients treated in the 1960s were in group 1, 23 in the 1970s in group 2, and 31 in 1980s in group 3. There were no other significant differences other than the adjuvant chemotherapy in the three groups. In this study, the 5-year survival rate was 46% in group 1 (1962-1969), 82% in group 2 (1970-1979), and 97% in group 3 (1980-1989). The prognosis was improved significantly from 1960s to 1970s (P < 0.005), as well as from 1970s to 1980s (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.01), stage (P < 0.01), and histological grade (P < 0.05) as having independent prognostic effects. Patients with more than 4 courses of combination chemotherapy, stage Ia, grade I and grade II had a better survival rate. The chemotherapy, complete surgical staging and preservation of fertility in surgical treatment of stage I epithelial ovarian cancer were also discussed.