Preoperative findings in non-gynecologic carcinomas metastasizing to the ovaries.

This study evaluated whether preoperative findings are useful prognostic indicators in patients with non-gynecologic carcinomas metastasizing to the ovaries. Fifty-three patients were analyzed. Primary sites of carcinoma were discovered after gynecologic surgery in 20 patients. In 10 patients, primary sites of carcinoma were discovered during gynecologic surgery. Thirty-one patients received surgery on the primary site before gynecologic surgery. The primary site could not be identified in 2 patients. The 5-year survival rate was 40.0% in patients, who underwent surgery on the primary site before gynecologic surgery. However, the 5-year survival rate was 12.2% in patients, who underwent surgery on the primary site during or after gynecologic surgery. The CEA level was significantly lower in the stomach primary group than in the intestine primary group. However, CA125 was the only marker significantly affecting survival. In comparison with primary ovarian carcinoma, the sensitivity of CEA was significantly higher for non-gynecologic ovarian carcinoma, while that of CA125 was significantly less sensitive for non-gynecologic ovarian carcinoma. In conclusion, the prognosis was better in patients, who had undergone resection of primary carcinoma before gynecologic surgery on non-gynecologic ovarian carcinoma. CEA is a useful marker to distinguish non-gynecologic from primary ovarian carcinoma, while CA125 is the only significant prognostic marker for non-gynecologic ovarian carcinoma. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel