Advanced ovarian cancer in a woman with a family history of ovarian cancer, discovered at referral for prophylactic oophorectomy. A case report.

Despite an initial complete response to therapy, she died of the disease 60 months after the diagnosis. Although only a small percentage of ovarian cancer patients report a family history positive for ovarian cancer, such a history remains the most recognizable risk factor in this elusive disease. Accurate prediction of the risk of ovarian cancer in subjects with multiple affected family members and the efficacy of prophylactic oophorectomy need to be determined.