OBJECTIVE:The objective was to describe and comparetypesanddurationofsymptomsamong women withinvasiveversusborderlineovariantumors.METHODS:Cases were women, ages 20-69 years, diagnosed withinvasive(616) andborderline(151) epithelialovariantumors from 1994 to 1998.Symptomswere obtained using a standardized in-person interview. Differences intypesanddurationofsymptoms, time todiagnosisafter consulting a physician, and primary reason fordiagnosisbyinvasive/borderlinestatus and histologic type were determined using bivariate and regression analyses controlling for age.RESULTS:Borderlineandinvasivecases reported similartypesofsymptoms. However,borderlinecases were twice as likely to report not having hadsymptomsasinvasivecases (16 vs 8%, P = 0.005). Prediagnostic symptomdurationwas longer amongborderlineversusinvasivecases (median: 6 vs 4 months, P < 0.001). The median time from first consultation with a physician todiagnosis(1 month) did not differ byinvasive/borderlinestatus.Borderlinecases were twice as likely to be diagnosed through routine examination asinvasivecases (28 vs 16%, P = 0.001).Invasivecases were more likely to be diagnosed because ofsymptoms(62 vs 48%, P = 0.002).CONCLUSIONS:Because most (90%) women withovariantumors havesymptomsand median symptomdurationis 4 months, greater awareness ofsymptomsby women and physicians is needed for the earlier detection ofovariantumors. The lesser likelihood of being detected by routine examination and the shorter symptomdurationforinvasiveversusborderlinecases underscores the need for effective screening and preventive strategies.
