Hereditary ovarian cancer: a dilemma in prognosis.

Five women in three generations developed ovarian cancer. We closely monitored 36 descendent women in this family who were at high risk for developing this disease. Prophylactic oophorectomy is considered the optimal way to prevent the development of ovarian cancer. In the light of the young age of the women at risk and their strong objection to oophorectomy, we closely monitored the examinees for early signs of cancer for more than 5 years. None of them developed cancer. The dilemma in treatment of women at risk is discussed.