OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of brain metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was conducted in 7 cases of brain metastases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma from January 1986 to March 2007 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital for summarizing therapy results and prognosis-affecting factors.

RESULTSIncidence of brain metastases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma was about 0.66% (7/1055). Serous adenocarcinoma was the predominant pathological type in 4 cases and the subsequent was adenocarcinoma in 3 cases. All the patients were diagnosed at late stage, 6 cases with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIc and 1 with FIGO stage IV. The mean duration from diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma to brain metastasis was 32.7 +/- 20.0 months (range, 23-73 months). Single metastasis focus occurred in 43% of cases and multiple metastases in 57% of cases. Fifty-seven percent of patients presented extracranial metastasis. Serum CA125 played a role in monitoring reoccurrence and brain metastases. The average survival time was about 12 months. Better treatment with prolonged survival could be achieved by combination of operation and chemotherapy or combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSAs a rare condition, brain metastasis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is rising in incidence with improved treatment of ovarian carcinoma and prolonged survival. However, brain metastasis indicates bad prognosis which can be improved by combined therapy.