Clinical-Pathological Characteristics Analysis of Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (LGSOC) at Tertiary Hospital in Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives: Ovarian cancer, particularly Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (LGSOC), as rare cancer exhibits clinical-pathological characteristics that attract attention.
Methods: This study adopted an analytic observational study approach with a cross-sectional design, and used a total sampling method with medical records data from Dr. Soetomo Regional General Hospital patients from 2016 to 2022.
Results: In a study involving 51 LGSOC patients, the majority were diagnosed at Stage III. Common clinical symptoms involved abdominal distension, with some patients experiencing abdominal pain, while ascites occurred in 39.2% of patients, reflecting the impact of metastasis on the patient's physical condition. Elevated CA-125 levels (>35 U/ml) were detected in 92.2% of patients, with only 7.8% of patients showing CA-125 levels within the normal range (≤35 U/ml). There was a significant age difference between the two age groups compared, but no significant differences in clinical symptoms, tumor size, tumor bilaterality, or cancer stage between the two age groups. The research results indicate a significant difference in the presence of ascites between the two age groups, suggesting a potential relationship between ascites and patient age. Statistical analysis shows a connection between CA-125 levels and overall disease progression, although not significant in the younger age group. However, there is no significant correlation between CA-125 levels and tumor bilaterality, presence of residual tumor, or tumor size across all age groups. Although there is a trend that patients with high CA-125 levels tend to experience ascites, this difference does not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions: In this study, Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (LGSOC) majority of patients were diagnosed at Stage III. Despite a significant age difference, the results suggest a potential relationship between ascites and patient age, while high CA-125 levels were detected in most patients, though not always reflecting a significant level of disease progression.