The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sex hormone levels on tumor biology and patients' outcome in ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and six patients with ovarian cancer were enrolled into this prospective study. Serum and ascites samples were obtained intraoperatively. Concentrations of estradiol, FSH, LH and prolactin were measured and correlated with parameters of tumor biology, such as FIGO stage, tumor spread and postoperative tumor residual mass. Patients with primary ovarian cancer were compared to patients with recurrent disease. Influence factors on progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meyer method. RESULTS: Serum FSH concentrations were significantly higher and estradiol concentrations in ascites were significantly lower in patients with recurrent disease. According the multivariate analysis, only FSH level in ascites was seen to be an independent prognostic factor for patients' survival. CONCLUSION: High level of FSH in the ascites provides prognostic information in patients with ovarian cancer and is inversely correlated with patients' survival.
