Long-term survival and patterns of care in women with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to ascertain long-term survival and patterns of care among women diagnosed with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) in a population-based data set.


METHODS
Using the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified 2818 women diagnosed with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential between 1988 and 1997.


RESULTS
By FIGO stage, 10-year relative survival was as follows: stage I, 99%; stage II, 98%; stage III, 96%; and stage IV 77%. One-quarter of women with stage I disease underwent partial or unilateral oophorectomy only, while women with more advanced disease commonly underwent omentectomy, unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy, and hysterectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to about 30% of women with stage III and IV disease. Radiation therapy was rarely used. We observed no significant changes in primary surgery or adjuvant treatment over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of an ovarian tumor of LMP conveys a relatively benign prognosis. Conservative surgery should be considered in younger women with early-stage disease. There are insufficient data to support a role for adjuvant chemotherapy for women with advanced disease.
Trimble
Cornelia Liu
CL
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Kosary
Carol
C
Trimble
Edward L
EL
D000328:Adult; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate