A Clinico-pathological Analysis of Women with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in 20–40 Years Age Group

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the clinico-pathological characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer in young women between 20 and 40 years age group treated at Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmadabad. Data of patients with malignant ovarian tumour in the age group of 20–40 years treated at GCRI between 2010 and 2012 were collected retrospectively. Relevant clinico-pathological data of epithelial ovarian cancer such as infertility, tumour stage, histology and grade were analysed. Surgical outcomes of patients who had primary surgery at GCRI and elsewhere were also compared. Outcomes of patient who underwent fertility-sparing surgery were also analysed. Seventy-two per cent of all the ovarian malignancy was epithelial ovarian cancers. Sixty-five per cent of the patients had advanced-stage disease. However, grade 1 and 2 disease was more common than grade 3. Fifty-eight per cent of the patients who were operated elsewhere had incomplete surgery. Overall two-year disease-free survival was 69%. Four patients who had fertility-sparing surgery were free of disease on follow-up. Advanced-stage EOC was more common in this study group in contrast to other studies. Fertility-sparing surgery appears to be safe and should be considered in young patients with early-stage disease seeking future pregnancy. A greater role of gynaecologic oncologist in the management of patients with ovarian cancers is imperative for better surgical outcome and improved survival.