title: Survival analysis in familial ovarian cancer, a case control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  familial ovarian cancer patients have been found to differ from sporadic cases, clinically as well as in the molecular make-up of the tumour. Here, a case control study is performed to analyse potential differences in survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 families with a strong history of ovarian and/or breast cancer presenting to a family cancer clinic 44 ovarian cancer patients were included. Each patient was matched for age and stage with controls from a cancer registry. Survival rates and the effect of several prognostic factors were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  median survival in the study group differed significantly from controls. A survival benefit for familial cases was maintained up to 5 years after diagnosis. Long-term survival was equally poor in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the difference in survival between familial ovarian cancer cases and matched controls may reflect differences in biological behaviour. This may have important implications for the management and prevention of familial ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Zweemer
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Verheijen
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Coebergh
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Diest
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gille
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skates
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Menko
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ten Kate
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenemans
mesh_terms: D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality*; D010375:Pedigree; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; D024682:BRCA2 Protein