Publication:

Epidemiology of ovarian malignancies

Background The location of the ovaries makes it difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer at an earlier more curable stage. This study was done with intend of developing insight into risk factors, clinical presentation and prognostic factors for the same.

Methods An observational prospective study was undertaken over a period of 2 years of 77 cases in a tertiary care hospital with cancer unit. Case records of cases during study period were evaluted and epidemiology studied.

Results Most of the malignant tumors i.e. 35.1% were in the age group of 40- 50 yrs and 42 % of tumors seen in the age group of 41-60 years. 9.1% were post hysterectomy, 46.8% were premenopausal and 44.2% were postmenstrual. Majority cases were parous women and none had used oral contraceptive pills. In the present study, blood group A was found more commonly more commonly associated with ovarian tumors in comparison to the general population. the most common complaint of the patient was pain in abdomen (70.1%) followed by distension of abdomen (45.5%) and menstrual irregularities (16.9 %).

Conclusions The epidemiology and presentation of ovarian tumours has remained unchanged since last 3 decades. Nulliparity is not as significant a factor in the aetiology of ovarian malignancy however contraception leading to anovulatory cycles (OC pills) may have a protective role. Infertility can be suggested as a risk factor but the treatment for infertility & its role in oncogenesis remains controversial.