Comparison of Survival Outcomes Based on Pre-treatment Pleural Effusion in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Background/Aim: The influence of pleural effusion (PE) on survival outcomes in ovarian cancer has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to analyze the effect of pre-treatment PE on prognosis. Patients and Methods: A total of 117 patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer having pre-treatment PE were included in the study. Malignant PE was determined with CT or PET/CT or biopsy. Results: Thirty patients (27.0%) had PE and 81 (73.0%) had no PE (NPE). For first-line chemotherapy, the delivered dose intensity was significantly higher in PE. In both groups, 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) did not present statistical significant differences. The 7-year PFS of PE was significantly shorter unlike the OS. Conclusion: Within 5 years, pre-treatment PE did not have a significant impact on OS nor PFS for patients with a higher dose of first-line chemotherapy. Within 7 years, better management strategies are needed as PE can have a negative impact on PFS.