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

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the rate of secondary malignancies in long-term survivors with ovarian cancer.MethodsLong-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’.ResultsOf 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).ConclusionA 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.