Survival of ovarian cancer patients in Ibadan: clinical and pathological factors.

This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the applicability of the universal grading system in a selected patient population and compared the results with the FIGO staging. A total of 49 patients who met the inclusion criteria, were studied. The slides were independently examined by two pathologists, using Silverberg's parameters. The prognostic value of their findings was analysed using Kaplan-Meier graphs. Papillary subtype and abnormal nuclear features were the most frequent histological pattern and a younger age was associated with improved survival. The longest surviving patient (250 weeks) had the lowest mitotic activity, predominantly glandular architecture and little or no nuclear pleomorphism, the reverse is the case for the shortest-term survivor (120 weeks). The universal grading system is useful and comparable with the FIGO staging. The two systems are complementary.