8217 Background: Use of corticosteroids to enhance efficacy of antiemetic drugs is controversial because of its well established ability to improve patients' quality of life. On the other hand there are reports on impairment of tumor apoptosis and increased frequencies of metastasis in patients receiving corticosteroid treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken to determine the effects of corticosteroid medication as a part of general antiemetic prophylaxis prior to chemotherapy with respect to hematological parameters after administration and overall survival in 244 ovarian cancer patients scheduled to receive at least 6 courses of systemic chemotherapy. In a subset 62 patients received glucocorticoids and 182 did not. Results: Both groups are well balanced with respect to stage and other prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier analyses on recurrence-free and overall survival revealed no statistically significant differences between both groups. Glucocorticoid pretreatment resulted in significantly higher leucocyte counts during the days after chemotherapy, higher nadir values, and counts prior to subsequent courses (p < 0.01; Levene-test, T-test). The fall of hemoglobin serum levels during the courses of treatment was also less pronounced in the dexamethasone group. Thrombocyte levels were only little positively affected (p < 0.10; Levene-test, T-test). As a result, the initial treatment plans were significantly more frequent achieved in the dexamethasone group (p = 0.007; Chi2-test). Conclusions: This retrospective analysis gives no evidence for the concerns that glucosteroids could negatively influence patient outcome. They may have positive bone marrow protecting properties. No significant financial relationships to disclose.