The prognostic value of peritoneal cytology in ovarian cancer

We studied the significance of peritoneal cytology as a prognostic factor i n primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal specimens for cytologi cal examination were taken from 73 patients at primary operation for ovaria n cancer. The prognostic value of cytological findings was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. It was also correlated to clinical stage, tumor histol ogy, histopathological grade, residual tumor, presence of ascites and age b y using the chi(2)-test. The value of cytology in relation to other factors was assessed by Cox-multivariate analysis. In univariate analysis peritone al cytological findings correlated significantly to survival. In Cox-multiv ariate analysis peritoneal cytology, histopathological grade and the age of the patient were found to be significant independent prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer. According to this data peritoneal cytology can be considered as an important prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. Therefor e it should be evaluated routinely in association with surgery of ovarian t umors.