Prognostic factors in ovarian cancer

In ovarian cancer the recognition of the prognostic factors allows an accurate planning of treatment, monitoring of patients and evaluation of the course of disease. Some factors depend only on the characteristics of the cancer and the patient herself, others may be influenced by the method of treatment. Patients with well differentiated lower stage tumors, diploid DNA contents in tumor cells, negative lymph node findings, total operative cytoreduction, and improved general condition may hope for a favorable course of disease. Poorly differentiated tumors, aneuploid DNA contents in cells, remaining tumor after surgery, extensive metastases, increased tumor marker values after the operation, ascites, progressed stage, advanced age and poor general condition of the patient mean an unfavorable prognosis.