Clinical Experience of Patients Presenting with Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma.

Abstract

Aims: We present our experience with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, its histopathology and relationship with age, parity and breast-feeding practices as seen in our clinical practice. Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of study: All diagnosed cases of ovarian epithelial carcinoma during January 2001 to December 2002 in obstetrics and gynecology unit II of Nishter Hospital Multan and MINAR (Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy) were included in this study. Subject and Methods: Clinical records of diagnosed cases of ovarian carcinoma were reviewed and data relating to stage at presentation. Histopathology, age, parity and breast feeding were analyzed. Results: during this study period 50 patients of epithelial carcinoma were diagnosed. 24 (48%) were of serous adenocarcinoma, 18(36%) had mucinous adenocarcinoma. 6 (12%) patients had endometroid and remaining 2(4%) were diagnosed as the case of clear cell carcinoma. The mean age at presentation was 51 years. 4 patients were only of <23 years of age. 46 patients were parous and give history of breast feeding with varying duration of 4 to 15 months.38 (76%) patients had stage III disease while 8.(16%) had stage IV disease and only 4 (8%) patients had stage II disease at time of presentation. Conclusion: There were so unusual presenting features of ovarian carcinoma in our patients. It is seen in many young parous women and probably breast feeding does not confer any protective effect. However the numbers of cases in our study are too small to draw any conclusions and more studies are needed.