Intake of selective beta blockers has no impact on survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Some authors have claimed a significant impact of β-blocking agents on outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study investigated the impact of concurrent medication with selective beta blockers (SBB) in patients undergoing primary treatment for EOC.

METHODS: The study included all consecutive patients with primary EOC treated in two tertiary gynecological-oncologic units between 1999 and 2014. Medication was retrospectively analyzed by chart review.

RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 801 patients, of whom 141 (17.6%) had received SBB. Median age of patients without SBB medication was 56years (range: 19-90years) and 64years (range: 41-84years) in patients taking SBB (p<0.001). The main prognostic factor FIGO stage did not differ between both cohorts. 63.8% of patients taking SBB underwent complete tumor resection compared to 74.2% of patients without SBB (p=0.012). Patients without SBB experienced less severe post-operative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (18.8% vs 29.0%; p=0.003). Between the both groups without and with SBB intake, PFS and OS did not differ significantly (PFS: 27months and 24months, p=0.40; OS: 56months and 44, p=0.15). Multivariate analyses did not yield any association between SBB intake and prognosis but confirmed well-known prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Intake of selective β-blockers did not influence the prognosis of patients with EOC.