Younger women with ovarian cancer have better survival rates than older patients, even if they have surgery to conserve their fertility.
November 12, 2006 (Press Release) --
Younger women with ovarian cancer have better survival rates than older patients, even if they have surgery to conserve their fertility, scientists said on Tuesday. Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because it is often not detected until the illness is in an advanced stage and more difficult to treat.
But an American study showed that 59 percent of women diagnosed between the ages of 30-60 were still alive five years later, compared to only 35 percent of older women with the illness. Ovarian cancer is rare in women under 30 but the 5-year survival rate for that age group was 79 percent.
"We found that younger patients have a better survival..," said Dr John Chan of Stanford University in California, in the British Journal of Cancer.
Although the improved survival of young women could be due in part to an earlier diagnosis and a lower grade of tumor, Chan and his team believe there may be other underlying, unknown factors linked to the improved prognosis.
The researchers also found no significant difference in the survival of women of child-bearing age who had been treated with surgery to conserve their fertility and those who had their wombs removed.
"Our results suggest that more pre-menopausal women diagnosed with ovarian cancer can be considered for fertility-sparing surgery," said Chan.
"Also, given the overall encouraging survival rates in this age group, we can potentially make a significant impact on the outcomes of these young women with novel strategies," he added.
source: http://www.zeenews.com
But an American study showed that 59 percent of women diagnosed between the ages of 30-60 were still alive five years later, compared to only 35 percent of older women with the illness. Ovarian cancer is rare in women under 30 but the 5-year survival rate for that age group was 79 percent.
"We found that younger patients have a better survival..," said Dr John Chan of Stanford University in California, in the British Journal of Cancer.
Although the improved survival of young women could be due in part to an earlier diagnosis and a lower grade of tumor, Chan and his team believe there may be other underlying, unknown factors linked to the improved prognosis.
The researchers also found no significant difference in the survival of women of child-bearing age who had been treated with surgery to conserve their fertility and those who had their wombs removed.
"Our results suggest that more pre-menopausal women diagnosed with ovarian cancer can be considered for fertility-sparing surgery," said Chan.
"Also, given the overall encouraging survival rates in this age group, we can potentially make a significant impact on the outcomes of these young women with novel strategies," he added.
source: http://www.zeenews.com
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