Clinical characteristics and predictors of survival in 284 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a large-scale retrospective analysis.

Background: This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics, recurrence patterns, and survival predictors in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 284 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer treated at our institution between 2012 and 2022. Clinical data, recurrence patterns, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess survival and identify prognostic factors.

Results: The mean age at recurrence was 54.47 years. Multiple site recurrence (50.70%) was the most common, followed by peritoneal (21.47%) and distant metastases (15.84%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.00 and 23.00 months, respectively. Retroperitoneal recurrence was associated with better survival compared to distant recurrence (median OS 29.00 vs 16.00 months, P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis identified residual disease (HR 2.15, P < 0.001), elevated CA-125 (HR 1.6, P = 0.02), high-grade histology (HR 1.5, P = 0.01), and advanced initial stage (HR 1.7, P = 0.002) as significant predictors of poor survival.

Conclusion: Recurrence patterns and timing significantly impact survival in recurrent ovarian cancer. Complete cytoreduction, tumor grade, and initial stage are crucial prognostic factors. These findings emphasize the need for personalized treatment strategies and continued research into novel therapeutic approaches.