Best predictors of survival outcome after tertiary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of tertiary cytoreduction (TCR) on survival and to determine prognostic factors which may influence surgical and survival outcome.

Study design

Twenty-three consecutive patients who had recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer and underwent TCR between January 1999 and January 2011 were evaluated. Factors which impact on TCR outcome and survival were determined by statistical analysis.

Results

TCR was optimal (< 1 cm residual tumor) in 15 of the 23 patients (65.2%) and suboptimal in 8 patients (34.8%). None of the clinicopathologic factors was associated with TCR outcome. On the contrary, TCR outcome (optimal vs suboptimal) was independently associated with survival in univariate analysis (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

There is not a good predictor of TCR outcome but TCR seems to be beneficial for patients in whom optimal surgery can be achieved. Therefore, preoperative assessment of patients and weighing the potential survival benefit against potential surgical risks are very important for patient selection.