EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CANCER OF THE OVARY

190 women with cancer of the ovary who had been under clinical treatment from 1962 to July 1976 were studied epidemiologically. Special risk factors which seem to predispose to the development of cancer of the ovary were determined. Higher social standing, having no children or having borne more than 4 children, a shortened menarche-menopause interval, having had radiation of the pelvis, as well as having had an appendectomy, seem to be factors overrepresented among cancer patients in Marburg. More patients had blood group A and fewer had blood group O than would be expected from the distribution in the population as a whole. Polyps of the corpus uteri were often seen to precede cancer of the ovary. Diabetes mellitus, adiposity, hypertension and varicosis were frequent accompanying diseases. Many patients had a family history of cancer.