ROLE OF ASCITES AND PERITONEAL CYTOLOGY AS PROGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR PATIENTS WITH EARLY EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER

A cohort of 215 female patients with early epithelial ovarian cancer, researched for 13- year period (2000 -2012). Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate how the presence, the amount and the cytology of ascites influence the survival of these patients. Methods: We used correlative analysis, variative analysis, Graphic analysis, Chi – square, Kaplan – Mayer curves, Log Rank test. The overall survival, progression free survival and 5-year survival of the patients were analyzed. Results: 78% of the patients with positive peritoneal cytology have died during the researched 12 year period (P = 0,0027). 21% of the patients with negative peritoneal cytology have died during the period of the study (P = 0,0027). The progression free survival showed similar results. The 5-year survival of the patients with positive peritoneal cytology is a lot poorer (33.3 %) in comparison with the 5- year survival of the patients with negative peritoneal cytology (79%(P = 0,0059)).Conclusion: The presence, as well as the amount of ascites does not influence the survival of patients with early epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The presence of malignant cells in the ascites and the peritoneal washings significantly worsens the prognosis for these patients.