Epidemiology and outcomes of squamous ovarian carcinoma; a population-based study

Abstract

ObjectiveSquamous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) is a rare tumor. Scarcity of information about the epidemiology and prognosis of SOC hinders attempts at optimal patient management. This retrospective study of a large cohort details the clinicopathological and demographic characteristics and prognosis of women with SOC. MethodsA cohort of patients drawn from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database who were diagnosed with SOC between 1988 and 2012 were analyzed. Observed and disease-specific survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier plots in women who underwent surgery as part of their cancer-related treatment. A Cox hazard regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of cancer-specific survival in patients with SOC. ResultsWe identified 341 patients with SOC with a median age at diagnosis of 55years. Stage I, II, III and IV tumors were noted in 34%, 15%, 20.5% and 24.9% of patients, respectively. Five-year cancer-specific survival was 86% for stage I, 54.3% for stage II, 36.3% for stage III and 2.8% for stage IV disease patients. Observed and cancer-specific survival was better for patients that underwent lymphadenectomy (p=0.031). Postoperative radiotherapy was not associated with improved survival. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors of improved cancer-specific survival were younger age, lower disease stage and lymphadenectomy. ConclusionsSOC is typically a unilateral malignancy with a tendency toward loco-regional spread. Stage I patients have a relatively high survival rate; however, the prognosis is poor for women with abdominal or distant spread. Lymphadenectomy, but not postoperative radiotherapy, is associated with improved survival.