Peritoneal cancer index: a prognostic indicator of survival in advanced ovarian cancer

The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) has been used for the detailed evaluation of the peritoneal spread in tumors of gastrointestinal origin and has been found to be a prognostic indicator of survival. The aim of this study was the identification of the significance of the peritoneal cancer index in advanced ovarian cancer.From 1990 to 2001, 60 women, mean age 65+/-10.84 (41-86), were treated for advanced ovarian cancer. The performance status (Karnofsky performance scale), age, prior surgery score (PSS), peritoneal cancer index (PCI), tumor volume, tumor grade, residual tumor, the presence of ascites, treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy, histopathologic subtype and FIGO stage were retrospectively correlated to survival using univariate model of statistical analysis.Hospital mortality and morbidity were 11.7 and 16.7% respectively. The recurrence rate was 23.3%. Overall 5-year survival rate was 41% and mean survival 63+/-8 months. The peritoneal cancer index was related to survival (P=0.0253). The other favorable clinical prognostic indicators of survival were low grade and small volume tumors, treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy and complete cytoreductive surgery (P<0.05).The peritoneal spread in advanced ovarian cancer can be assessed in detail using the peritoneal cancer index. It is a significant prognostic factor of survival and is useful in identifying subgroups.