Ovarian Cancer Surgery in Australia and New Zealand: A Survey to Determine Changes in Surgical Practice Over 10 Years

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 945-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Farrell ◽  
Winston Spencer Liauw ◽  
Alison Hilary Brand

ObjectiveThis study aimed to survey all practicing certified gynecological oncologists (CGOs) in Australia and New Zealand to determine their current surgical practice for primary advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and compare the findings with an identical survey conducted 10 years previously.Methods/MaterialsA questionnaire was e-mailed to all 53 practicing CGOs in Australia and New Zealand in July 2017 assessing their definition of optimal debulking for EOC, their use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the surgical procedures they use to achieve cytoreduction. Results were compared with an identical study performed in 2007 using χ2 and logistic regression analysis.ResultsResponse rate was 89% (47/53). A higher percentage of patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery in 2017 than in 2007 (43% vs 16%, respectively). In 2017, CGOs were more likely to define optimal debulking as zero residual disease (R0; 21/44 [48%] vs 6/34 [18%], P < 0.001). To achieve this, CGOs were significantly more likely to independently perform stripping/resection of the diaphragm (44/47 [94%] vs 15/34 [44%], P < 0.001) and, with assistance from surgical colleagues, perform resection of upper para-aortic lymph nodes (39/46 [85%] vs 21/34 [62%], P = 0.02) and parenchymal liver metastases (30/46 [65%] vs 13/34 [38%], P = 0.02). They were now less likely to resect/reimplant the ureter without assistance (23% vs 53%, P = 0.01). A surgeon's definition of optimal debulking as R0 was significantly associated with a high use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (in ≥50% of patients).ConclusionsCertified gynecological oncologists' definition of optimal debulking for primary EOC is more likely to be R0 in 2017 than in 2007. Radical abdominal surgery was performed more often in 2017, requiring assistance by a surgical colleague in many cases. An increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was the only factor significantly associated with CGOs' definition of optimal debulking as R0.

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 986-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Le ◽  
P. Shahriari ◽  
L. Hopkins ◽  
W. Faught ◽  
M. Fung Kee Fung

The objective of this study was to study the significance of tumor necrosis documented at the time of interval surgical debulking after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Retrospective chart reviews were carried out from 1997 to 2005 to identify ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients' demographics together with disease characteristics, treatment-related variables, and outcomes were recorded. Cox proportional hazard models were built to model time to progression using predictor variables such as age, cancer stage, tumor grade, residual disease, percentage change in CA125 level from baseline, and degree of necrosis in resected tumor specimens. One hundred one patients were included in the study. Optimal debulking was achieved in 74% of the patients. Cox regressions revealed three significant predictive variables of time to first progression: younger age (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98, P = 0.004), residual disease (P = 0.048), and the absence/minimal tumor necrosis after three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.01–3.87, P = 0.048). The estimated median survival was 50.66 months (95% CI 46.12–55.20). The lack of or minimal tumor necrosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an independent risk factor for recurrent disease.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison H. Brand

Introduction:The purpose of our study was to survey all practicing gynecological oncologists in Australia and New Zealand to determine their definition of optimal debulking, their current surgical techniques used to achieve optimal debulking, and their reasons for using or not using such techniques.Methods:In October 2007, an email survey was distributed to all 42 practicing gynecological oncologists in Australia and New Zealand. Information obtained included practice patterns, as well as surgical expertise, techniques, and rationale with respect to primary debulking surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.Results:There was an 81% response rate. Fifty-eight percent of respondents considered optimal debulking to be residual disease less than 10 mm, 21% considered it to be less than 5 mm, and 18% considered it to be no visible disease. Sixty-five percent were able to achieve optimal debulking in their patients, as measured by their own criteria. Patient factors considered to be most frequent barriers to optimal debulking were medical comorbidities (91%) and older patient population (59%). Disease findings which most often precluded optimal debulking were disease involving the base of the mesentery (94%), confluent diaphragmatic disease (74%), and large volume, confluent peritoneal disease (50%). A variety of procedures were used by either gynecological oncologists or their colleagues, but more than 50% would never perform resection of diaphragmatic disease, resection of parenchymal liver metastases, or ablation with cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator or argon beam. The most common reasons for not performing ultraradical procedures were concerns regarding benefit (39%), concerns regarding morbidity (24%), and lack of personal expertise (24%).Conclusions:Most gynecological oncologists use a variety of surgical techniques to achieve optimal debulking. However, patient factors as well as concerns regarding benefit and lack of expertise were reasons cited for not performing ultraradical surgery.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditi Bhatt ◽  
Naoual Bakrin ◽  
Praveen Kammar ◽  
Sanket Mehta ◽  
Snita Sinukumar ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionResidual disease in ‘normal appearing’ peritoneum is seen in nearly 30% following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Our goal was to study prospectively, the sequence of response in different regions, the commonest sites of occult residual disease, its incidence in different peritoneal regions and the potential therapeutic implications of these.MethodsThe patterns of response were studied based on the finding of residual disease in cytoreductive surgery specimens on pathological evaluation. A protocol for pathological evaluation was laid down and followed. Informed consent was taken from all patients. A correlation between clinical and pathological findings was made. Sugarbaker’s peritoneal cancer index was used to describe the regional distribution of peritoneal diseaseResultsIn 85 patients treated between July 2018 to June 2019, 83 FIGO stage III-C at diagnosis and 2 stage IV-A. Microscopic disease in ‘normal appearing’ peritoneal regions was seen in 22 (25.2%) and in normal peritoneum around tumor nodules in 30 (35.2%). Regions 4 and 8 of Sugarbaker’s peritoneal cancer index had the highest incidence of residual disease in absence of visible disease and regions 9 and 10 the lowest. The response to chemotherapy occurred in a similar manner in over 95% of the patients-the least common site of residual disease was the small bowel mesentery, followed by upper regions (regions 1-3), omentum and middle regions (regions 0, 4, 8), lower regions (regions 5-7) and lastly the ovaries. Nearly 85% had 4 or more peritonectomies and 67% had 6-7 peritonecomies.ConclusionsComplete resection of involved the peritoneal region could address all the occult disease in a particular region. The role of resection of the entire region as well as ‘normal appearing’ parietal peritoneal regions (or total parietal peritonectomy) during interval cytoreduction should be prospectively evaluated to determine its impact on morbidity and survival.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1935-1942
Author(s):  
Shih-Ern Yao ◽  
Lee Tripcony ◽  
Karen Sanday ◽  
Jessica Robertson ◽  
Lewis Perrin ◽  
...  

ObjectiveInterval cytoreduction following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a well-recognized treatment alternative to primary debulking surgery in the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer where patient and/or disease factors prevent complete macroscopic disease resection to be achieved. More recently, the strain of the global COVID-19 pandemic on hospital resources has forced many units to alter the timing of interval surgery and extend the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles. In order to support this paradigm shift and provide more accurate counseling during these unprecedented times, we investigated the survival outcomes in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients with the intent of maximal cytoreduction following neoadjuvant chemotherapy with respect to timing of surgery and degree of cytoreduction.MethodsA retrospective review of all patients aged 18 years and above with FIGO (2014) stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the intention of interval cytoreduction surgery between January 2008 and December 2017 was conducted. Overall and progression-free survival outcomes were analyzed and compared with patients who only received chemotherapy. Outcome measures were correlated with the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles and amount of residual disease following surgery.ResultsSix hundred and seventy-one patients (median age 67 (range 20–91) years) were included in the study with 572 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery and 99 patients with chemotherapy only. There was no difference in the proportion of patients in whom complete cytoreduction was achieved based on number of cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (2–4 cycles: 67.7%, n=337/498); ≥5 cycles: 62.2%, n=46/74). Patients undergoing cytoreduction surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a median 5-year progression-free and overall survival of 24 and 38 months, respectively. No significant difference in overall survival between surgical groups was observed (interval cytoreduction: 41 months vs delayed cytoreduction: 43 months, p=0.52). Those who achieved complete cytoreduction to R0 (no macroscopic disease) had a significant median overall survival advantage compared with those with any macroscopic residual disease (R0: 49–51 months vs R<1: 22–39 months, p<0.001 vs R≥1: 23–26 months, p<0.001).ConclusionsSurvival outcomes do not appear to be worse for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy if cytoreduction surgery is delayed beyond three cycles. In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients the imperative to achieve complete surgical cytoreduction remains gold standard, irrespective of surgical timing, for best survival benefit.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin A Lyons ◽  
Henry D Reyes ◽  
Megan E McDonald ◽  
Andreea Newtson ◽  
Eric Devor ◽  
...  

ObjectiveIn previous studies, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery was not inferior to primary cytoreductive surgery as initial treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Our study aimed to compare surgical and survival outcomes between the two treatments in a large national database.MethodsData were extracted from the National Cancer Database from January 2004 to December 2015. Patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer and known sequence of treatment were included: primary cytoreductive (surgery=26 717 and neoadjuvant chemotherapy=9885). Tubal and primary peritoneal cancer diagnostic codes were not included. Residual disease after treatment was defined based on recorded data: R0 defined as microscopic or no residual disease; R1 defined as macroscopic residual disease. Multivariate Cox proportional HR was used for survival analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to compare mortality between groups. Outcomes were adjusted for significant covariates. Validation was performed using propensity score matching of significant covariates.ResultsA total of 36 602 patients were included in the analysis. Patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery had better survival than those treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery, after adjusting for age, co-morbidities, stage, and residual disease (p<0.001). Primary cytoreductive surgery patients with R0 disease had best median survival (62.6 months, 95% CI 60.5–64.5). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients with R1 disease had worst median survival (29.5 months, 95% CI 28.4–31.9). There were small survival differences between primary cytoreductive surgery with R1 (38.9 months) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy with R0 (41.8 months) (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.0), after adjusting for age, co-morbidities, grade, histology, and stage. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy had 3.5 times higher 30-day mortality after surgery than primary cytoreductive surgery (95% CI 2.46 to 5.64). The 90-day mortality was higher for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in multivariate analysis (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.61) but similar to primary cytoreductive surgery after excluding high-risk patients.ConclusionsMost patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer may benefit from primary cytoreductive surgery. Patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be those with co-morbidities unfit for surgery.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama Rajanbabu ◽  
Kiran Bagul ◽  

Introduction: In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, there is a survival benefit for patients who achieve optimalcytoreduction. Suboptimallycytoreduced patients are at risk of the increased morbidity of a surgery without associated survival benefit. Predicting which patients can undergo optimal cytoreduction represents a critical decision-making point. Present study analyses the predictors, pre operative (clinical and radiologic) and intraoperative of suboptimal debulking. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences from March 2013 to May 2015. All the patients with clinically (physical examination, laboratory and imaging results) diagnosed Stage IIIc epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) who were planed for primary debulking surgery were included. The demographic data and details of tumor markers, radiological investigations including CT scan, intra operative findings and histopathologic details were collected. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v20.0. Results: 36 patients fit the inclusion criteria. Gross ascites wasthe clinical parameter found to be associated with suboptimal debulking. CT scan had low sensitivity (35-53%) in diagnosing small bowel mesenteric and porta hepatis disease and high sensitivity in diagnosing diffuse peritoneal thickening, omental disease, diaphragmatic and nodal disease. On univariate analysis diffuse peritoneal thickening and small bowel serosa and mesenteric disease were significantly consistent with sub optimal debulking. Conclusion: Finding out disease at the sites which are associated with suboptimal debulking (diffuse peritoneal thickening, smallbowel mesenteric and serosal disease) pre operatively or at the beginning of surgery can predict optimal debulking and can help avoid un necessary surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Stephanie Seidler ◽  
Meriem Koual ◽  
Guillaume Achen ◽  
Enrica Bentivegna ◽  
Laure Fournier ◽  
...  

Recent robust data allow for omitting lymph node dissection for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and without any suspicion of lymph node metastases, without compromising recurrence-free survival (RFS), nor overall survival (OS), in the setting of primary surgical treatment. Evidence supporting the same postulate for patients undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is lacking. Throughout a systematic literature review, the aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of lymph node dissection in patients undergoing surgery for advanced-stage EOC after NACT. A total of 1094 patients, included in six retrospective series, underwent either systematic, selective or no lymph node dissection. Only one study reveals a positive effect of lymphadenectomy on OS, and two on RFS. The four remaining series fail to demonstrate any beneficial effect on survival, neither for RFS nor OS. All of them highlight the higher peri- and post-operative complication rate associated with systematic lymph node dissection. Despite heterogeneity in the design of the studies included, there seems to be a trend showing no improvement on OS for systematic lymph node dissection in node negative patients. A well-conducted prospective trial is mandatory to evaluate this matter.


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