Prognostic factors in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors.

In a study of 494 patients with ovarian carcinoma all known factors that eventually influence prognosis were tested both separately and comparatively in a multivariate statistical analysis, using survival as the dependent variable. It was found that the histologic grade and the size of the residual tumor after surgery are the most important factors influencing survival. The histologic type affected prognosis only in Stage III patients with large residual tumors. The stage of tumor progression had prognostic value, although Stage IIa was found to have the same survival rate as Stage I of this disease. The state of the tumor capsules in Stage I had no prognostic effect. Ascites only affected survival in Stage III patients who had small or no residual tumor after surgery. Age was found to influence survival only in Stage III patients with small residual tumors, or no residual tumor, and in advanced Stage II cases. Continued chemotherapy seems to be of benefit in Stage III patients with small or no residual tumors following surgery.