Risk factors for benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors for benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors.


METHODS
Cases were women newly diagnosed with benign serous ovarian tumors (n=230) or benign mucinous tumors (n=133) between 2002 and 2005. Control women were selected at random from the general population (n=752). All participants completed a comprehensive reproductive and lifestyle questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and to simultaneously adjust for potential confounding factors.


RESULTS
Current smoking was associated with a three-fold increase in risk of benign mucinous tumors (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.97-5.34), and there was a trend of increasing risk with increasing amount smoked (P<.001). Both recent obesity (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.30-2.88) and obesity at age 20 (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.88-10.20) were associated with increased risk of benign serous ovarian tumors, and having had a hysterectomy was also related to increased risk of serous (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.90-3.96), but not mucinous tumors. Ever having had a term pregnancy was inversely associated with both tumor types (combined OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.97), although greater numbers of pregnancies did not decrease risk further. Use of hormonal contraceptives was unrelated to risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest some differences in risk factors between benign serous and mucinous epithelial ovarian tumors and that risk factors for benign serous tumors differ from those well established for ovarian cancer. The results also suggest that there is potential for prevention of these common conditions through avoidance of smoking and obesity.


METHODS
II.
Jordan
Susan J
SJ
Cancer and Population Studies Group, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. susan.jordan@qimr.edu.au
Green
Adèle C
AC
Whiteman
David C
DC
Webb
Penelope M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018282:Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*