Survival analysis in familial ovarian cancer, a case control study

Objective: familial ovarian cancer patients have been found to differ from sporadic cases, clinically as well as in the molecular make-up of the tumou r. Here, a case control study is performed to analyse potential differences in survival. Study design: 31 families with a strong history of ovarian an d/or breast cancer presenting to a family cancer clinic 44 ovarian cancer p atients were included. Each patient was matched for age and stage with cont rols from a cancer registry. Survival rates and the effect of several progn ostic factors were analysed. Results: median survival in the study group di ffered significantly from controls. A survival benefit for familial cases w as maintained up to 5 years after diagnosis. Long-term survival was equally poor in both groups. Conclusion: the difference in survival between famili al ovarian cancer cases and matched controls may reflect differences in bio logical behaviour. This may have important implications for the management and prevention of familial ovarian cancer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.