RISK OF 2ND TUMORS IN A COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

Patients with ovarian carcinoma show an increased incidence of second tumors. The reason for this increase in incidence is not known. One hu ndred and ten ovarian cancer patients, in which half received an alkyl ating agent (Melphalan) and the rest received no chemotherapy, were st udied to evaluate the role of chemotherapy in the development of secon d malignancies. In 55 chemotherapy treated patients 17 second tumors d eveloped which can be compared with five second tumors developing in 5 5 patients not receiving chemotherapy (P=0.017). Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood cells performed on the 55 chemotherapy treated pat ients showed an increased frequency of chromosome aberrations compared with healthy controls, but no difference was observed between patient s developing second tumors and those who did not. No statistically sig nificant difference in the incidence of close relatives with cancer wa s observed in patients with second tumors as compared to cases remaini ng free of new malignancies. In conclusion the given chemotherapy seem s to be the major cause for second tumors in this cohort of patients w ith ovarian cancer.