Prognostic effect of DNA content depends on the amount of the residual disease in ovarian tumours

Summary

A retrospective study was conducted on 47 patients with ovarian malignancies (1986–1991). DNA content analysis, surgical stage, residual tumor and histological grade were correlated to prognosis. In our experience, 36 months survival rate shows a more favourable outcome in diploid forms 166·7%), compared with 34·5% in aneuploid ovarian cancer patients. The results of flow cytometry may be used in conjunction with other prognostic factors. such as stage, residual tumor after primary surgery, grade and histological type, to tailor treatment protocols based on risk assessment. The importance of RT after primary debulking surgery is emphasised in our study. In fact RT was the only independent prognostic factor. The magnitude of the prognostic effect of DNA ploidy is dependent on the ability of the surgeon to reach an optimal debulking surgery.