Secondary malignancies in long-term ovarian cancer survivors: results of the 'Carolin meets HANNA' study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the rate of secondary malignancies in long-term survivors with ovarian cancer.

Methods: Long-term survivors with ovarian cancer (survival ≥8 years after initial diagnosis) with multiple malignancies were identified within the Tumorbank Ovarian Cancer and our study 'Carolin meets HANNA - Holistic Analyses of Long-term Survivors with Ovarian Cancer'.

Results: Of a total of 225 long-term survivors with ovarian cancer, 36 patients (16%) had at least one more cancer diagnosis before, concomitant with, or after, ovarian cancer. Median age was 52.5 years (range 37-79). A total of 60% were diagnosed with stage III/IV and most tumors were high-grade (88.6%), as well as of serous histology (63.9%). Median overall survival was 10 years (range 8-19). Secondary cancer after ovarian cancer was found in 17 long-term survivors (7.6%). Breast cancer was the most frequent secondary malignancy. Median duration between diagnosis of primary ovarian cancer and secondary cancer diagnosis was 78.5 months (range 12-220). BRCA was tested in 11 patients with seven patients being BRCA1 and one patient BRCA2 positive. Secondary cancers were detected by screening in 35.3% and self-detected in 29.4% of patients (breast self-examination).

Conclusion: A secondary malignancy was diagnosed in 7.6% of long-term survivors. Routine follow-up and cancer screening should be performed in long-term ovarian cancer survivors.

Keywords: neoplasms; ovarian cancer; postoperative care; quality of life (PRO)/palliative care; second primary.