Register for Study shows improved EOC survival rate
Epithelial Ovarian CancerFebruary 25, 2003
2003 FEB 25 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A study released at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting on Women's Cancer shows that the survival rate of women diagnosed with primary invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has steadily increased over the past 3 decades, specifically, 25% in 2-year and 15% in the 5-year relative survival rates.
The purpose of the study was to assess the changes in patterns in diagnosis and relative survival in women diagnosed with primary invasive EOC from 1973-1997, with follow-up through 1999.
The study, "Ovarian Cancer: Changes in patterns at diagnosis and relative survival over the last 3 decades," was led by Dr. Adnan R. Munkarah, MD, of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Other researchers included Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, MD, Faisal Qureshi, MD, Suzanne Jacques, MD, John Malone, MD, and Ann Schwartz, MD, also of Wayne State University.
In general, over the past 3 decades, there has been a steady improvement in the relative survival of women diagnosed with primary, invasive EOC. The improvement has occurred despite the increase in the proportions of minorities diagnosed with EOC, specifically, African-American women and women over 60.
"It is very encouraging to find that less women are dying from ovarian cancer. However, we need to look at the factors that continue to hinder the survival rate for women with this cancer, especially African-American, as well as older women," said Munkarah. "Much more needs to be done in the area of research and prevention to improve the survival of all patients with this deadly cancer." This article was prepared by Cancer Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
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