Pregnancy outcome and recurrence after conservative laparoscopic surgery for borderline ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of conservative laparoscopic management of borderline ovarian tumors, and to assess pregnancy outcome and recurrence after fertility-sparing surgery. METHODS: From 1995 to 2005, 43 patients of reproductive age presented with adnexal mass, which was subsequently diagnosed as a borderline tumor of the ovary. These patients were treated by conservative laparoscopic surgery, with intraoperative staging of the disease. Patients were evaluated every 3 months for the first 2 years, and then every 6 months thereafter, to determine the best modality for following patients after conservative surgery. RESULTS: Three (7%) patients developed a recurrence after conservative treatment. Among the 43 patients who had conservative surgery, 21 (49%) became pregnant during the follow-up period; 12 (57%) conceived spontaneously, and the remaining 9 (43%) patients underwent caesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, conservative laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumors is an appropriate and reasonable therapeutic option for young women with low-stage disease who wish to preserve their childbearing potential, because the fertility results are encouraging. Recurrence can be noted after this type of treatment, but the cases of recurrent disease can be detected with close follow-up and treated accordingly. Careful selection of candidates for this kind of treatment is, of course, necessary, and close follow-up is required.     

Fertility and recurrence results of conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the fertility and recurrence outcomes in women treated with fertility-sparing surgery for borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: A total of 142 patients with borderline ovarian tumors managed surgically from 1993 to 2004 were identified from gynecologic oncology and pathology files of SSK Ankara Maternity and Women's Health Teaching Hospital. Sixty-two of those patients who had conservative surgery were eligible for the study. Information was acquired by retrospective medical record review and patient interview. RESULTS: The observed recurrence rates after radical and fertility-sparing surgery were 0.0% and 6.5%, respectively. Four patients from the conservative surgery group developed recurrence, in contrast to none of the patients from the non-conservative surgery group. No disease-related deaths occurred in any group. In the conservatively managed group, ten women had successful pregnancies, with a total of 10 live births and 3 abortions. The mean duration of follow-up for the conservative surgery group was 44.3 months (range, 3-128). CONCLUSION: Fertility-sparing surgery for borderline ovarian tumors should be considered for women in the reproductive age group who desire preservation of fertility. Recurrence is noted significantly more often after this type of treatment and close follow-up is needed to detect recurrent disease.     

Serum CA 125, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CA 19-9 as tumor markers in borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to analyze preoperative serum levels of CA 125, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and CA 19-9 in patients with borderline ovarian tumors and to investigate if routine assessment of these markers in follow-up may lead to earlier detection of recurrence. METHODS: For patient identification a database was used, in which data from all patients treated for gynecologic malignancies in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands, are compiled. Between 1982 and 1997, 44 patients with borderline ovarian tumors were identified. Clinical data and serum CA-125 and CEA levels were retrieved from the database. CA 19-9 levels were determined in retrospect in available stored preoperative (24 patients) and follow-up (43 patients) serum samples. RESULTS: Preoperative CA 125 levels were elevated in 8 of 33 (24%), CEA levels in 3 of 32 (9%), and CA 19-9 levels in 11 of 24 (46%) cases. In patients with mucinous tumors preoperative CA 19-9 was more frequently elevated (8/14, 57%) than CA 125 (3/20, 15%) (P = 0.02) or CEA (2/18, 11%) (P = 0.02). Complete follow-up serum CA 125, CEA, and CA 19-9 levels were available for 43 of 44 patients. Median follow-up was 84 months (range, 22-204). During follow-up two patients (5%) had recurrent disease. In one patient CA 125 became elevated at the time of recurrence; in the other patient (in retrospect) the CA 19-9 level did not return to normal after surgery, but kept rising, preceding clinical symptoms of recurrence for 13 months. CONCLUSIONS: If one chooses to use serum markers in follow-up of mucinous borderline ovarian tumors CA 19-9 should be included. Measurement of serum tumor markers in the follow-up of patients with borderline ovarian tumors may lead to earlier detection of recurrence in only a very small proportion of patients, while the clinical value of earlier detection of recurrence remains to be established.     

超声联合肿瘤标志物预测附件包块良恶性质的临床价值

目的研究术前超声联合肿瘤标志物预测附件包块良恶性质的临床价值。方法回顾性分析2009年1月至2010年10月间,于同济大学附属第一妇婴保健院收治的475例附件包块患者,术前超声评估附件包块性质(包括肿块大小,回声性质和血流信号)和肿瘤标志物(CA125、CA199、AFP、CEA和CA153)检查,与最终手术病理结果比较。结果手术石蜡病理提示卵巢恶性肿瘤100例,交界性肿瘤50例,良性肿瘤325例。术前超声提示囊性肿块183例,其中良性144例(78.7%)、恶性19例(10.4%);超声提示混合性肿块247例,其中良性160例(64.8%)、恶性58例(23.5%);超声提示实性肿块45例,其中良性21例(46.7%)、恶性23例(51.1%)。超声提示混合性或实性肿块与囊性肿块相比,卵巢恶性肿瘤病率显著增加(27.7%vs.10.4%)(P<0.001)。提出卵巢肿瘤预测模型1、2、3,模型1:CA125≥35kU/L+超声混合或实性;模型2:CA125≥100kU/L+超声混合或实性;模型3:CA125≥35kU/L+CA199≥37kU/L+超声混合或实性。结论超声提示附件混合性或实性包块同时合并CA125升高者,卵巢恶性肿瘤发生率显著增高。     

Borderline ovarian tumors in reproductive-age women. Fertility-sparing surgery and outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the fertility and survival outcomes in young women with borderline ovarian tumors treated with fertility-sparing surgery. STUDY DESIGN: From 1985 to 2002, 25 women with borderline ovarian cancers surgically managed with preservation of the uterus and at least a portion of 1 ovary were identified from tumor registry databases at 2 southern California hospitals. Data for analysis were collected from hospital charts, office records and tumor registry files. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (median age, 29 years) with borderline ovarian tumors, including 10 with stage IA, 3 with stage IC, 1 with stage IIIA and 11 with unstaged disease, underwent fertility-sparing surgery, consisting of unilateral adnexectomy in 19, unilateral adnexectomy with contralateral cystectomy in 5 and unilateral cystectomy in 1. No disease recurred, providing an overall survival of 100%. Fertility status was available on 15 patients 4-157 months after surgery; 6 of them attempted to become pregnant. Five women had successful pregnancies, with a total of 5 live births. One woman underwent assisted reproductive techniques, became pregnant but aborted. The median follow-up was 80 months (range, 4-157). CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors should be considered for women in the reproductive age group who desire preservation of fertility.     

The value of CA 125 determination in the serum of patients with ovarian cancer

The circulating ovarian cancer associated antigen CA 125 was determined in serum of 63 patients with ovarian malignancies by radioimmunometric solid phase assay using the monoclonal antibody OC 125 as catcher and tracer. The results of 41 patients with 43 active tumour situations were compared with the CA 125 serum levels of 27 patients without recurrence after therapy of ovarian cancer and 49 benign ovarian tumours. Significant differences exist between these three groups (p less than 0.001) with elevated values (greater than 35 U/ml) in 84 per cent in ovarian carcinoma, 22 per cent in benign tumours and nought per cent in woman without recurrence in follow-up. The pre-operative sensitivity in ovarian cancer is 93 per cent (in epithelial carcinoma 96 per cent) with a distinct dependence of the CA 125 serum levels on the stage of the disease (stage III and IV versus stage I and II; p less than 0.01). A positive correlation of CA 125 values to clinical status was found in 82 per cent in follow-up. Increasing values of CA 125 can detect the recurrence any months earlier than the clinical examination. Decreasing serum levels in chemotherapy don't reflect the objective tumour remission in every case. Because of elevated values in benign and inflammatory adnexal tumours and the relative low sensitivity in borderline cases (three of seven patients greater than 35 U/ml) the CA 125 assay seems not be suitable for a screening method. However it is a substantial amplification in control of therapeutic success and an early detection of recurrence of ovarian cancer disease.     

Conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors: a review

OBJECTIVE: Borderline tumor of the ovary is an epithelial tumor with a low rate of growth and a low potential to invade or metastasize. This review will outline the most recent information regarding the molecular pathogenesis, pathology, fertility and tumor recurrence rate after conservative management of young women with early-stage borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: We performed a MEDLINE literature search of relevant clinical trials for the scope of this review that evaluated conservative treatment of borderline ovarian tumors for young women with low-stage disease who wish to preserve their fertility. RESULTS: Recently, investigators have begun to identify subsets of patients with a worse prognosis, such as patients with aneuploid tumors. A number of oncogenes are under investigation to determine their role in the pathogenesis of borderline ovarian tumors. Previous studies have suggested the safety of conservative surgery with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy for patients with stage I borderline ovarian tumors. Laparoscopic treatment of adnexal masses has proved to be a safe and effective diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the hands of experienced laparoscopists. For women who are treated conservatively, follow-up is important. Surgery remains the most effective therapy for later stage lesions. Adjuvant therapy for advanced stage of borderline ovarian tumors remains controversial. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of borderline ovarian tumors is an appropriate therapeutic option for young women with early-stage lesions who wish to preserve their childbearing potential. Available data indicate that in these patients fertility, pregnancy outcome and survival remain excellent.     

Recurrent borderline ovarian tumours after conservative management in women wishing to retain their fertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of recurrence after conservative treatment of Stage 1 borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of all women with borderline ovarian tumours diagnosed at Aberdeen, U.K. and loannina, Greece between 1981-1993. Outcome measures comprised initial surgery, stage of disease, histological type, pregnancy rate, recurrence rate and disease-free interval. RESULTS: Conservative surgery for borderline tumours in young women permitted high conception rates. Recurrence of tumour was high in this group, 71%, and presented late. CONCLUSION: Prolonged intensive follow-up is required for women treated conservatively for borderline malignant ovarian tumours.     

Comparison of risk of malignancy index (RMI), CA125, CA 19-9, ultrasound score,and menopausal status in borderline ovarian tumor

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic values of risk of malignancy index (RMI IV), ultrasound score, menopausal status, and serum CA125 and CA19-9 level in patients with borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). Methods: Fifty women having borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and 5O individuals with benign adnexal mass were enrolled in this retrospective study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of preoperative serum levels of the CA125 and CA19-9, ultrasound findings and menopausal status, and RMI IV were calculated for prediction of discrimination between BOTs and benign adnexal masses and the results were compared. Results: The RMI IV was the best method for discrimination between BOTs and benign adnexal masses and was more accurate than the other parameters. When Receiver Operator Characteristic area under the curves for menopausal status was analyzed, serum CA 125 and CA19-9 level, ultrasound score, RMI IV(CA125), and RMI IV(CA19-9) were, 0.580, 0.625, 0.548, 0.694, 0.734 and 0.711, respectively. The best RMI IV cut-off was found to be 200 for discrimination of benign and BOT lesions. In the RMI formulation, replacing CA125 with CA19-9 didn’t affect RMI IV sensitivity and specificity for discrimination. Conclusion: Compared to ultrasound, menopausal status, CA-125, CA19-9, the RMI IV was found to be the best predictive method for differentiation of BOTs from benign adnexal masses. RMI IV cut–off value of 200 is suitable for differentiation of benign and BOT’s.     

Clinical management potential tumours of low malignancy

Approximately 3000 American women are diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumours annually. Common signs and symptoms include abdominal/pelvic pain and a palpable adnexal mass. Pelvic sonography may be helpful, although not specific, in the diagnosis. Serum CA 125 is abnormal in only about 50% of patients. Primary surgery is the principal treatment; it consists of resection of the primary tumour(s) (frequently in the form of fertility-sparing surgery), frozen-section analysis and consideration of comprehensive surgical staging. The role of surgical staging remains unclear; further research is necessary. For patients with stage I disease, surgery alone is the standard. For patients with stage II-IV disease (with non-invasive or invasive peritoneal implants), the role of post-operative therapy remains unclear. Approximately 20-30% of the latter will relapse, frequently after several years. Most so-called recurrences are low-grade carcinomas. Potential predictive or prognostic factors include age, FIGO stage, residual disease and the micropapillary pattern. After fertility-sparing surgery, most patients retain normal reproductive function.     

Is preoperative selection of patients with cystic adnexal masses essential for laparoscopic treatment?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze indications for preoperative selection of patients with cystic adnexal masses to be treated by laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University and military hospitals. PATIENTS: Three hundred sixteen women with adnexal masses. INTERVENTION: Before laparoscopy, 214 patients underwent evaluation (size of adnexal mass, ultrasonographic image, CA 125, suspicious clinical diagnosis); in 102 women laparoscopies were performed without taking these factors into account. MEASUREMENTS and MAIN RESULTS: In the first center 99% of women were treated by laparoscopic surgery. One (0.4%) tumor of low malignant potential detected by deferred biopsy was operated on. In the second center 98% of cases were performed laparoscopically. In 3.9% of women carcinomas were detected intraoperatively and were treated by laparotomy (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is appropriate management of cystic adnexal masses, with a very low risk of unintentionally operating an ovarian carcinoma if a thorough preoperative evaluation is conducted. Only in centers where surgeons have enough training to cope with ovarian cancer may this evaluation be deferred, since conversion to laparotomy should be considered a second therapeutic step, and not an incorrect indication for laparoscopy. In centers where surgeons have no such training, strict preoperative selection of patients is mandatory     

Safety of conservative management and fertility outcome in women with borderline tumors of the ovary

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of fertility-sparing treatment and the remaining chance of childbearing after surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. DESIGN: Gynecology department of a university teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Seventy-five women underwent surgical management in our institution between 1986 and 2001 for borderline tumors of the ovary. INTERVENTION(S): Fifty-nine patients were treated by radical, fertility-compromising surgery. The remaining 16 patients underwent conservative surgery, preserving the uterus and at least some functional ovarian tissue. Seven unilateral adnexectomies, one simple cystectomy, and two adnexectomies associated with contralateral cystectomy were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Recurrence, survival, and pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): The observed recurrence rates after radical and conservative surgery were 0.0% and 18.7%, respectively. No disease-related deaths occurred in any group; there is no significant difference in survival rates. We can report 12 pregnancies in 7 of 11 women who underwent fertility-sparing management and who wished to become pregnant. CONCLUSION(S): In certain circumstances, conservative management offers a safe solution for borderline tumors of the ovary. Recurrence is noted significantly more often after this type of treatment, but all cases of recurrent disease can be detected with close follow-up and can be treated accordingly. No significant change in survival rates was found. Moreover, the pregnancy rate in women desiring pregnancy, those treated conservatively, was as high as 63.6%.     

Management of adnexal cystic masses with unexpected intracystic vegetations detected during laparoscopy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a prospective series of consecutive patients with unexpected intracystic vegetations detected during operative laparoscopy for adnexal masses. DESIGN: Prospective series of consecutive patients (Canadian Task Force classification: II-2). SETTING: Tertiary care university hospitals. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients found during surgery to have unexpected intracystic vegetations and treated by operative laparoscopy, out of a total series of 667 patients under 40 years of age with ultrasonographic evidence of an adnexal cystic mass without thick septa, internal wall papillarities, or solid components. INTERVENTIONS: Operative laparoscopy and follow-up. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-five (5.2%) of 667 patients were found at surgery to have unexpected intracystic vegetations. A frozen section was sent for pathologic analysis in all 35 patients. Frozen section diagnosis was benign in 32 patients and borderline in 3 patients. Final pathology diagnosis was borderline ovarian tumor in five of the 35 patients (14.3%), and benign in 30 patients (85.7%). No case of invasive carcinoma was diagnosed either at frozen section or at final pathology examination. The patients with borderline tumors are alive with no evidence of disease after a mean follow-up of 60 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the present series, with accurate preoperative selection, the rate of adnexal cysts with unexpected intracystic vegetations was 5%, of which 14% were borderline tumors. The laparoscopic management of these adnexal masses did not adversely affect the prognosis.     

Role of Ca-125 in the differential diagnosis of adnexal mass in breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: Serum CA-125 is of value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant adnexal masses, especially in postmenopausal women. In ovarian cancer preoperative CA-125 levels are related to tumor stage, histologic grade, but are not an independent prognostic factor. Design: The aim of our study was to determine CA-125 serum level in women with ovarian tumor treated previously because of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Due to our research, we examined 51 women operated on for adnexal masses in the Department of Oncological Gynaecology in Bydgoszcz, 1996 - 2002. All those patients were treated because of breast cancer previously. RESULTS: In 19 women (37,3%) benign ovarian tumors were found, in 4 cases (7,8) - primary ovarian cancer whereas in 28 patients (54,9%) breast cancer metastases were detected. Based on CA-125 levels before surgery, correlation between CA-125 concentration and malignant histologic type was observed. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Higher CA-125 serum levels were found in a group of patients with metastatic adnexal masses compared to primary ovarian cancer. 2. In a group of women with breast cancer and ovarian tumor, metastatic adnexal masses were observed in more than 50% of cases.     

ACOG Committee Opinion: number 280, December 2002. The role of the generalist obstetrician-gynecologist in the early detection of ovarian cancer

The purpose of this Committee Opinion is to define the role of the generalist obstetrician-gynecologist in the early detection of ovarian cancer. Currently, it appears that the best way to detect early ovarian cancer is for both the patient and her clinician to have a high index of suspicion of the diagnosis in the symptomatic woman. In evaluating symptoms, physicians should perform a physical examination, including a pelvic examination. In premenopausal women with symptoms, a CA 125 measurement has not been shown to be useful in most circumstances. In postmenopausal women with a pelvic mass, a CA 125 measurement may be helpful in predicting a higher likelihood of a malignant tumor than a benign tumor, which may be useful in making consultation or referral decisions or both. A woman with a suspicious or persistent complex adnexal mass requires surgical evaluation by a physician trained to appropriately stage and debulk ovarian cancer. Data suggest that currently available screening tests do not appear to be beneficial for screening low-risk, asymptomatic women. An annual gynecologic examination with an annual pelvic examination is recommended for preventive health care.     

Outcome of reproductive age women with stage IA or IC invasive epithelial ovarian cancer treated with fertility-sparing therapy

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the recurrence rate, survival, and pregnancy outcome in patients with Stage IA and Stage IC invasive epithelial ovarian cancer treated with unilateral adnexectomy. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective investigation was undertaken to identify patients with Stage IA and IC epithelial ovarian cancer who were treated with fertility-sparing surgery. All patients with ovarian tumors of borderline malignancy were excluded. Long-term follow-up was obtained through tumor registries and telephone interviews. The time and sites of tumor recurrence, patient survival, and pregnancy outcomes were recorded for every patient. RESULTS: Fifty two patients with Stage I epithelial ovarian cancer treated from 1965 to 2000 at 8 participating institutions were identified. Forty-two patients had Stage IA disease, and 10 had Stage IC cancers. Cell type was distributed as follows: mucinous, 25; serous, 10; endometrioid, 10; clear cell, 5; and mixed, 2. Histologic differentiation was as follows: grade 1, 38; grade 2, 9; and grade 3, 5. Twenty patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (mean 6 courses, range 3-12 courses). Patients received the following chemotherapeutic agents: cisplatin/taxol or carboplatin/taxol, 11; melphalan, 5; cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, 3; and single-agent cisplatin, 1. Eight patients had second-look laparotomies and all were negative. Duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 426 months (median 68 months). Five patients developed tumor recurrence 8-78 months after initial surgery. Sites of recurrence were as follows: contralateral ovary, 3; peritoneum, 1; and lung, 1. Nine patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy and contralateral oophorectomy for benign disease. At present, 50 patients are alive without evidence of disease and 2 have died of disease 13 and 97 months after initial treatment. The estimated survival was 98% at 5 years and 93% at 10 years.Twenty-four patients attempted pregnancy and 17 (71%) conceived. These 17 patients had 26 term deliveries (no congenital anomalies noted) and 5 spontaneous abortions. CONCLUSION: The long-term survival of patients with Stage IA and IC epithelial ovarian cancer treated with unilateral adnexectomy is excellent. Fertility-sparing surgery should be considered as a treatment option in women with Stage I epithelial ovarian cancer who desire further childbearing.     

Long-term outcomes following conservative surgery for borderline tumor of the ovary: a large population-based study

OBJECTIVES: To examine outcomes in women treated with conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumor in a large population-based cohort with long-term follow-up. METHODS: Women treated by conservative surgery for borderline tumor of the ovary from 1982-2004 within a large HMO setting were identified using electronic and tumor registry data. Chart review was performed when electronic data were incomplete. The indications for and outcomes from any subsequent gynecologic surgery and the risk of recurrent ovarian borderline and malignant tumor were determined. Risk factors for recurrence were analyzed using multivariate regression. RESULTS: Among one hundred and ninety-three patients identified, the average age was 33 (12-95), with 97% having apparent Stage I disease. Patients were followed with remaining ovarian tissue in situ for a mean of 6.9 years, with 59 women having 10 or more years of such observation. There were 21 recurrences with borderline tumor (11%) with a median time to first recurrence of 4.7 years; women treated by cystectomy recurred three times more often compared to women treated by oophorectomy (23% versus 7%). Two patients (1%) recurred with malignant disease involving remaining ovarian tissue, both within the first 3 years after surgery, with one death due to recurrence. During long-term follow-up, 19% of patients eventually underwent complete removal of ovarian tissue: in 8%, the surgery was prophylactic, in 5%, surgery was done for benign pathology, and in 6% for recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based HMO setting, 11% of women treated with conservative surgery for borderline tumor recurred; however, half of these recurrences were successfully managed by repeat conservative surgery, with only 6% of women overall needing eventual complete removal of ovaries for recurrent disease. Patients treated by cystectomy were three times more likely to recur than those treated by oophorectomy. Malignant recurrences were rare, and while borderline recurrences often occurred more than 3 years after initial surgery, late malignant recurrences were not observed. These favorable long-term outcomes provide support for conservative surgery for these women.     

Laparoscopic management of selected adnexal masses.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance, safety, and intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic management of adnexal masses thought to be at low risk for malignancy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic treatment including cystectomy, oophorectomy, adnexectomy, and peritoneal cytology, and, if necessary, frozen sections. A histologic diagnosis was obtained in every patient. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Only one ovarian cancer and one borderline ovarian tumor were diagnosed by histologic examination, and both were managed by laparotomy. The remaining 218 patients had laparoscopy for benign adnexal masses. CONCLUSION: Operative laparoscopy with the finding of incidental ovarian malignancy is rare, as shown by pathologic examination. With appropriate preoperative evaluation, laparoscopic surgery is technically feasible, safe, and advantageous, with minimal morbidity, and should replace laparotomy in the management of most adnexal masses. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(3):313-316, 1999)     

Borderline ovarian tumors: features and controversial aspects

Objective

To investigate features and controversial aspects of the borderline ovarian tumor (BOT), a neoplasm with favorable prognosis representing 10–15% of epithelial ovarian tumors.

Study design

: We retrospectively studied all patients treated at our institution from 2000 to 2010 taking into account the age, the stage, the type of surgery, the tumor size, the symptoms, the pre- and post-intervention tumor marker levels (CA125, CA19.9, CA15.3 and CEA), the presence of recurrence, the overall survival (OS), the progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

A total of 43 patients were identified. The median age was 49 years (range: 15–82 years). The most frequent FIGO stage was IA (74% of the cases) with a prevalence of serous histotype, and 49% of the patients were asymptomatic. The CA125 level was abnormal in 55% of the patients before surgery, returning to the normal range in all cases after tumor removal. The PFS was 96% and 77% at five and sixty months respectively.

Conclusion

The BOT is closer to a benign than to a malignant tumor in the early stages, when confined to the ovary (IA and IB). In these stages conservative surgery is safe and advisable for women seeking offspring. In the other stages the need for a careful and long-term follow-up arises. CA125, despite its modest sensitivity and specificity, has a role in the follow-up of BOT.     

Clinical review of 55 cases of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: A retrospective analysis of 55 cases of malignant germ cell tumors in a 20-year period was done to evaluate the impact of conservative surgery and adjuvant treatment on survival and fertility. METHODS: Fifty-five cases of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) were studied. Mean age was 22 years. Dysgerminoma was the most common histotype (45%). RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (71%) presented with FIGO surgical Stage I disease. Fertility-sparing surgery was performed in 39 (71%) women. Postoperative systemic chemotherapy was administered to 40 women (73%), 27 (68%) had received conservative treatment. One woman developed renal failure after the first cycle of chemotherapy and died a few days thereafter and there was one case of bleomycin-induced death due to pulmonary fibrosis. There were eight (14.5%) clinical recurrences. Overall survival rate for relapsing women was 75% (6/8). The recurrence rate for women treated conservatively was 15%, and it was 13% for those treated radically. With a median follow-up of 129 months the overall survival rate for the entire study-population was 90.9%. Eleven pregnancies occurred in 36 women treated with fertility-sparing surgery who were of child-bearing age. CONCLUSION: The management of MOGCTs with fertility-sparing surgery is a safe, practicable treatment option. The majority of these patients can retain normal ovarian function and reproductive potential after chemotherapy treatment.