Primary surgical treatment in ovarian cancer

Completeness of the primary surgical staging in early-stage ovarian cancer has a strong impact on the prognosis and it could distinguish

between low and high risk patients for the recurrence of the disease. The standard treatment of advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma

includes radical cytoreductive surgery which aims at removing a visible tumor followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Complete

resection is achieved when no macroscopically visible residual tumor is left. The prognostic value of complete debulking on overall

survival has been confirmed. In patients presenting with extensive metastatic tumor spread, complete tumor resection may require

extensive upper abdominal surgery, including procedures such as diaphragm resection or peritonectomy, splenectomy, or partial liver

resection. These extended surgical procedures require a multidisciplinary approach. The patients being treated in onco-gynecological

centers have a higher chance to achieve complete tumor resection.

Keywords: ovarian cancer, primary surgical treatment, residual tumor