Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: Identification of novel prognostic markers and long-term outcome after multimodality treatment

Purpose Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare and knowledge about prognostic parameters currently is limited. This study was undertaken to evaluate long-term outcome of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) after chemotherapy and to assess prognostic parameters. Patients and Methods A total of 113 patients with stage IC to IV MOGCTs were included into this retrospective study. Patients were treated at two large regional cancer centers between 1977 and 2003. Results Ten-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 82% and 81%, respectively. A total of 20 patients experienced relapse, all within the first 8 years. Outcome after relapse was poor, with only 10% of patients achieving long-term survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that initial stage of disease ( relative risk [RR], 5.96; 95% CI, 3.47 to 10.22; P =.03) and elevation of serum markers beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein ( RR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.40 to 10.9; P =.009) were significant predictors of overall survival, whereas age at diagnosis was of no prognostic value. Conclusion This is the first study to identify stage and tumor markers as prognostic parameters for patients with MOGCTs. This might help to select patients for risk-adapted treatment. There is need for improvement of therapeutic strategies after relapse.