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.

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.

The study cohort comprised 801 patients, of whom 141 (17.6%) had received SBB. Median age of patients without SBB medication was 56 years (range: 19–90 years) and 64 years (range: 41–84 years) 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: 27 months and 24 months, p = 0.40; OS: 56 months and 44, p = 0.15). Multivariate analyses did not yield any association between SBB intake and prognosis but confirmed well-known prognostic factors.

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