Characteristics of Long-Term Survivors of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Objective To identify characteristics associated with long-term survival forepithelial ovarian cancer patients using the California Cancer Registry. Methods A descriptive analysis of survival of all California residents diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 1994 and 2001 was conducted using patients identified through the cancer registry with follow up through 2011. Characteristics of the patients who survived more than 10 years (long-term survivors) were compared to three other cohorts: patients who survived less than 2 years, those who survived at least 2 but no more than 5 years, and those who survived at least 5 but no more than 10 years. Results A total of 3,582 out of 11,541 (31% CI=30.2%, 31.8%) of the patients survived more than 10 years. Younger age, early stage, low-grade, and non-serous histology were significant predictors of long-term survival, but long-term survivors also included women with high-risk cancer. Conclusion Long-term survival is not unusual in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, even in those with high-risk disease. Many of the prognostic factors are well known, but it remains to be determined why some patients with advanced stage high-grade cancers survive longer than others with the same histology. These findings are important for patient counseling.

Characteristics of 10-year survivors of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

“…A SEER registry study found that advanced stage patients and those who did not receive primary surgical resection had worse LT outcomes [4]. A recent study reported a 31% 10-year survival of mixed histologic subtypes from a state registry [15]. The authors reported that 16% of patients with advanced stage HGSC survived 10 years, but there was no indication of treatment regimens, patterns of recurrence or other clinical features of their disease provided.…”

Prognostic implications of reproductive and lifestyle factors in ovarian cancer

“…In fact, 38% of women with ovarian cancer die within two years of diagnosis [6]. In contrast, 31% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive ten or more years [6]. Despite this wide range in prognosis, little is known beyond clinical characteristics about what predicts survival.…”

“…While approximately 70% of patients achieve remission, the majority eventually develop recurrent disease, which is not curable with standard therapies [4,5]. In fact, 38% of women with ovarian cancer die within two years of diagnosis [6]. In contrast, 31% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive ten or more years [6].…”

Hormone Use After Nonserous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15] Recent studies have also shown that nonserous subtypes are more likely to be associated with long-term survival and improved prognosis. 16,17 Theoretically, the women who could benefit the most from HT are also the women who have the highest risk of recurrence.…”