Research Reveals the Role of Overall Health in Ovarian Cancer Prognosis

For their study, the research team reviewed data from 237 patients who had recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While the role of overall health plays a part in the treatment of any type of cancer, and while there is some data that already exists regarding health and other types of cancer, the research team was trying to examine health as it specifically impacts patients with ovarian cancer. The researchers used a measurement of overall health called the prognostic nutritional index or PNI and studied patients’ PNI score in relationship to the success of their treatment. They also accounted for the stage at which a patient was diagnosed with ovarian cancer to see if this would impact prognosis and overall health differently. Based on what the team found, a patient’s PNI does directly relate to the likelihood of whether or not treatment will be successful.