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Goals Of Work: Quality of life (Qol) represents a relevant end point in the clinical management of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). However, there exist only a few specific instruments which have been designed for patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a systematic checklist (Berlin Symptom Checklist Ovary (BSCL-O)) as an instrument of Qol for patients with AOC and to discriminate between the frequency and the importance of symptoms.Patients and Methods: The main symptoms were identified in a phase I study via free interviews of five patients with ovarian cancer (OC) as well as five medical doctors, family dependent, and care workers. In the phase II study, the capability of BSCL-O was evaluated by questionnaire-guided interviews of 200 patients with primary OC, recurrent OC, metastasized breast cancer, and benign ovarian tumors.Main Results: In phase I, 36 main symptoms were identified. In phase II, 7,200 answers from 98.5% of all patients were evaluable. Of the 36 symptoms of the BSCL-O, 23 revealed clinical relevance. There was a correlation of frequency and importance of symptoms (p < 0.05). The symptoms of the BSCL-O were deemed twice as strenuous in patients with recurrent OC.Conclusions: The BSCL-O can measure Qol of patients with OC. The BSCL-O is being validated in a phase III study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The majority of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer are in an advanced stage of the disease at the time of first diagnosis. The standard clinical staging (FIGO) occurs intraoperatively. The FIGO classification hides ambiguities and is useful as a means of orientation. However, an exact assessment of stage at first diagnosis, can form the basis for the evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic factors and furthermore has influence on adjuvant treatment., Method: We developed a systematic surgical and histopathological tumor documentation instrument, further we investigated its clinical and scientific application., Results: Between September 2000 and July 2002, 128 patients with primary and recurrent ovarian cancer were operated and prospectively documented. The median age of the patients at the time of first diagnosis was 55 years. The majority of patients diagnosed with primary ovarian cancer had a diffuse tumor spread pattern (localised: 18 [32 %]; central: 14 [25 %]; diffuse: 24 [43 %]). In patients diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer the three defined tumor spread patterns showed a comparable distribution (localised 19 [28 %]; central: 19 [28 % ]; diffused: 29 [43 %]). While in most of the patients with primary ovarian cancer the highest tumor mass was concentrated in the lower abdomen/ pelvis, in comparison, in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer it was located mostly in the upper abdomen ("change of level", p=0,027)., Conclusions: The IMO (Interoperative Mapping of Ovarian Cancer) represents a new instrument for a detailed and objective documentation of surgical and pathological results of patients with ovarian cancer and helps provide a more precise staging. Potentially this prospective documentation support the development of SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) and could be an efficacious instrument of quality management.

Background: IL-1-cytokines are strongly involved in carcinogenesis and tumor genesis. In this systematic review we will describe the role of IL-1 RA within the cytokine network and its predictive and prognostic value in cancer., Materials and Methods: We analysed preclinical and clinical studies., Results: A polymorphism is present in intron 2 of the human IL-1RA gene. The IL-1RA allele 2 has an influence on the IL-1RA plasma level. The IL-1 beta level is elevated at the homozygous for IL-1RA, allele 2 (IL-1RN*2). The IL-1 gene cluster polymorphism is associated with gastric cancer. Carriers of IL-1 1B- 511T and IL-1RN*2 homozygotes have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. Patients with a heterozygosity of allele 2 for IL-1 RA (IL-RA1/2) have an increased risk of cervical cancer. There are negative associations between IL-1 RA polymorphism and the occurrence of ovarian cancer., Conclusion: The polymorphism of IL-1RA seems to be involved in the induction of different solid tumors.