Maximal effort cytoreductive surgery for disseminated ovarian cancer in a UK setting: challenges and possibilities

Splenectomy as Part of Maximal-Effort Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

INTRODUCTION

A splenectomy is frequently performed during debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. Its impact on perioperative and survival outcomes remains questionable as current evidence is conflicting. In the present study, we sought to determine the factors that affect survival rates in ovarian cancer patients that undergo a splenectomy as part of maximal-effort cytoreduction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted that included all epithelial ovarian cancer patients that had surgical cytoreduction for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Differences among splenectomized and non splenectomized patients were evaluated as well as the impact of known risk factors on survival outcomes of splenectomized patients.

RESULTS

Overall, 245 patients were identified and 223 were included in the present series, of whom 91 had a splenectomy. Recurrence rates as well as death rates were comparable among splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients; however, both the disease-free survival (log-rank = 0.001), as well as the overall survival of splenectomized patients (log-rank = 0.006), was shorter. Thrombotic events as well as rates of pulmonary embolism were comparable. Sepsis was more common among splenectomized patients. The site of splenic metastases did not influence patients' survival. Among splenectomized patients, those offered primary debulking had longer progression-free survival (log-rank = 0.042), although their overall survival did not differ compared to patients submitted to interval debulking. Complete debulking significantly improved the overall survival compared to optimal debulking (log-rank = 0.047). Splenectomized patients that developed sepsis had worse overall survival (log-rank = 0.005).

DISCUSSION

The findings of our study support the feasibility of splenectomy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer; however, its impact on patients' survival is considerable. Therefore, every effort should be made to avoid splenic injury which will result in unintended splenectomy for non-oncological reasons.

Clinical Progression of Colorectal Resection in Gynecologic Cancer Patients: Does the Risk of Anastomotic Leakage Increase after Surgery?

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to examine the clinicopathological results of colorectal resection in patients with advanced gynecological cancers.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 104 patients with gynecological cancer who underwent colorectal resection from December 2008 to August 2020 at a single hospital (PNUYH). Using descriptive statistics, variables for risk factors and surgical complications were compared. We eliminated instances with malignancies originating from organs other than the female genitalia, benign gynecological illnesses, primary stoma formation, and any other bowel procedures outside colon resection.

RESULTS

The average age of 104 patients was determined to be 62.0 years. The most prevalent gynecological cancer was ovarian cancer (85 patients, 81.7%), and the most frequent procedure was low anterior resection (80 patients, 76.9%). There were postoperative problems in 61 patients (58.7%), while there was anastomotic leaking in just 3 patients (2.9%). Among the risk factors, only preoperative albumin was statistically significant (p=0.019).

CONCLUSION

Our findings imply that colorectal resection can be performed safely and effectively on individuals with advanced gynecological cancer.

Development of a Novel Intra-Operative Score to Record Diseases' Anatomic Fingerprints (ANAFI Score) for the Prediction of Complete Cytoreduction in Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer by Using Machine Learning and Explainable Artificial Intelligence

BACKGROUND

The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) and the Intra-operative Mapping for Ovarian Cancer (IMO), to a lesser extent, have been universally validated in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to describe the extent of peritoneal dissemination and are proven to be powerful predictors of the surgical outcome with an added sensitivity of assessment at laparotomy of around 70%. This leaves room for improvement because the two-dimensional anatomic scoring model fails to reflect the patient's real anatomy, as seen by a surgeon. We hypothesized that tumor dissemination in specific anatomic locations can be more predictive of complete cytoreduction (CC0) and survival than PCI and IMO tools in EOC patients. (2) Methods: We analyzed prospectively data collected from 508 patients with FIGO-stage IIIB-IVB EOC who underwent cytoreductive surgery between January 2014 and December 2019 at a UK tertiary center. We adapted the structured ESGO ovarian cancer report to provide detailed information on the patterns of tumor dissemination (cancer anatomic fingerprints). We employed the extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) to model only the variables referring to the EOC disseminated patterns, to create an intra-operative score and judge the predictive power of the score alone for complete cytoreduction (CC0). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were then used for performance comparison between the new score and the existing PCI and IMO tools. We applied the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) framework to support the feature selection of the narrated cancer fingerprints and provide global and local explainability. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. (3) Results: An intra-operative disease score was developed based on specific weights assigned to the cancer anatomic fingerprints. The scores range from 0 to 24. The XGBoost predicted CC0 resection (area under curve (AUC) = 0.88 CI = 0.854-0.913) with high accuracy. Organ-specific dissemination on the small bowel mesentery, large bowel serosa, and diaphragmatic peritoneum were the most crucial features globally. When added to the composite model, the novel score slightly enhanced its predictive value (AUC = 0.91, CI = 0.849-0.963). We identified a "turning point", ≤5, that increased the probability of CC0. Using conventional logistic regression, the new score was superior to the PCI and IMO scores for the prediction of CC0 (AUC = 0.81 vs. 0.73 and 0.67, respectively). In multivariate Cox analysis, a 1-point increase in the new intra-operative score was associated with poorer progression-free (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09, p < 0.005) and overall survival (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07), by 4% and 6%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The presence of cancer disseminated in specific anatomical sites, including small bowel mesentery, large bowel serosa, and diaphragmatic peritoneum, can be more predictive of CC0 and survival than the entire PCI and IMO scores. Early intra-operative assessment of these areas only may reveal whether CC0 is achievable. In contrast to the PCI and IMO scores, the novel score remains predictive of adverse survival outcomes.

Maximal Effort Cytoreduction in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Perioperative Complications and Survival Outcomes from a Retrospective Cohort

Background: Rates of maximal effort cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer patients increase gradually the last decade. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate factors that contribute to survival and morbidity outcomes in this group of patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient records of epithelial ovarian cancer patients with an intermediate and high Mayo Clinic surgical complexity score, operated between January 2010 and December 2018. Results: Overall, 107 patients were enrolled in the present study with a median age of 62 years (23-84) and a follow-up of 32 months (2-156). Thirteen Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa complications were documented in 10 patients (9.3%). Of all the investigated factors, only stage IVb (p = 0.027) and interval debulking surgery (p = 0.042) affected overall survival rates. Overall survival outcomes of patients operated on a primary setting started to differentiate compared to those that received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy after the 4th postoperative year. Conclusions: Maximal effort cytoreductive procedures should be considered feasible in the modern surgical era, as they are accompanied by acceptable rates of perioperative morbidity. Hence, every effort should be made to perform them in the primary setting, rather than following neoadjuvant chemotherapy as current evidence favor increased survival rates of patients that will likely surpass an interval of observation of more than 4 years.

Prognostic Value of En-Block Radical Bowel Resection in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Surgery With HIPEC

PURPOSE

To identify prognostic factors of survival and recurrence in advanced ovarian cancer patients undergoing radical surgery and HIPEC.

METHODS

In a single Department of Surgical Oncology, Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program, and over a 16-year period, from a total of 274 epithelial ovarian cancer patients, retrospectively, we identified 152 patients undergoing complete (CC-0) or near-complete (CC-1) cytoreduction, including at least one colonic resection, and HIPEC.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 58.8 years and CC-0 was possible in 72.4%. Rates of in-hospital mortality and major morbidity were 2.6% and 15.7%. Only 122 (80.3%) patients completed Adjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy (ASCH). Rates of metastatic Total Lymph Nodes (TLN), Para-Aortic and Pelvic Lymph Nodes (PAPLN) and Large Bowel Lymph Nodes (LBLN) were 58.7%, 58.5%, and 51.3%, respectively. Median, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 39 months, 43%, and 36.2%, respectively. The recurrence rate was 35.5%. On univariate analysis, CC-1, high Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI), in-hospital morbidity, and no adjuvant chemotherapy were adverse factors for survival and recurrence. On multivariate analysis, negative survival indicators were the advanced age of patients, extensive peritoneal dissemination, low total number of TLN and no systemic PAPLN. Metastatic LBLN and segmental resection of the small bowel (SIR) were associated with a high risk for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

CC-O is feasible in most advanced ovarian cancer patients and HIPEC may confer a survival benefit. Radical bowel resection, with its entire mesocolon, may be necessary, as its lymph nodes often harbor metastases influencing disease recurrence and survival. The role of metastatic bowel lymph nodes has to be taken into account when assessing the impact of systemic lymphadenectomy in this group of patients.

Impact of the Time Interval Between Primary Debulking Surgery and Start of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Aim

To investigate whether the time interval between primary debulking surgery (PDS) and initiating adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed FIGO stage IIB to IV EOC patients who received PDS followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2016. The optimal cut-off time interval to chemotherapy related to survival was determined using the Contal and O’Quigley method and Cox hazard models. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent effect of time interval on survival.

Results

A total of 152 patients were identified and divided into three groups based on the time interval between PDS and initiating adjuvant chemotherapy: early (<23 days), intermediate (23–43 days) and late (>43 days). The intermediate group had a significantly better median progression-free survival (PFS, 35.5 months) compared to the early (20 months) and late (22.6 months) groups. After adjustments for confounding factors, time interval was still an independent variable affecting PFS. The intermediate group was associated with a better PFS compared with the early and late groups (hazard ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.83, p=0.002). There was no statistical significance in overall survival (OS) in univariate or multivariate analysis, although there was a trend towards better OS in the intermediate group.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence that the time interval from PDS to chemotherapy influences PFS in patients with advanced EOC. The optimal time to initiate chemotherapy was between 23 and 43 days, within 3–6 weeks post-operatively. Initiating chemotherapy early (<23 days) did not appear to benefit PFS.

Implementation of National Guidelines increased survival in advanced ovarian cancer - A population-based nationwide SweGCG study

AIM

The first Swedish National Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer (NGOC) were published in 2012. We aimed to evaluate surgical outcomes and survival in patients with stage IIIC-IV disease, before and after the NGOC implementation.

METHOD

Women with primary epithelial ovarian cancer, FIGO stage IIIC-IV, registered in the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynecologic Cancer 2008-2011 and 2013-2016 were included. Surgical outcomes were analyzed, including frequency of complete cytoreduction (R0). Relative survival (RS) and excess mortality rate ratios (EMRRs) were computed as measures of survival. Univariable and multivariable regression (Poisson) were calculated.

RESULTS

In total, 3728 women were identified, 1746 before and 1982 after NGOC. After adjusting for age and stage, survival was improved 2013-2016 vs. 2008-2011 (EMRR 0.89; 95%CI:0.82-0.96, p < 0.05). For women undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS), R0 frequency (28.9% vs. 53.3%; p < 0.001) and 5-year RS (29.6% (95%CI:26.8-32.8) vs. 37.4% (95%CI:33.6-41.7)) were increased, but fewer patients (58% vs. 44%, p < 0.001) underwent PDS after NGOC implementation. Median survival for the PDS cohort increased from 35 months (95%CI,32.8-39.2) to 43 months (95%CI,40.9-46.4). In the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) + interval debulking surgery (IDS) cohort, R0 increased (36.8% to 50.1%, p < 0.001), but not 5-year RS (17.5% vs. 20.7%, ns). Compared to PDS, the EMRR was 1.32 (95%CI,1.19-1.47, p < 0.001) for NACT+IDS and 3.00 (95%CI,2.66-3.38, p < 0.001) for chemotherapy alone. In multivariable analyses, PDS, R0, age ≤ 70 years, and stage IIIC were found to be independent factors for improved RS.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the first National Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer improved relative survival in advanced ovarian cancer.

The clinical and pathological characteristics and survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Introduction: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynaecologic malignancies. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the clinical pathological characteristics and survival analysis of primarily operated patients with advanced stages of malignant epithelial ovarian tumour. Methods: The research was conducted as a cohort study with 59 patients with FIGO stage III and IV, which were primarily operated between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 (three years). Age, comorbidities, BMI, presence of ascites, the level of the marker CA-125, histopathology and FIGO stage were analysed. The survival rate was estimated at the level of 1, 3 and 5 years. Results: The median age was 53 years (range 29-86). The most common histopathological type was serous (66.1 %) and the most common FIGO stage was 3a (49.2 %). Optimal cytoreduction was performed in 35.5 % of patients, 84.7 % of patients survived for one year, 44.1 % three years and 37.3 % for five years. The median survival was 26.25 months (range 0-91). Chi-square test showed significant difference between the number of months of survival and: the value of CA125 (t = 2.004, p = 0.050), cytoreduction (p < 0.001) and FIGO stage (p < 0.01). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, optimal cytoreduction and FIGO stage significantly influence survival (p < 0.001). Optimal cytoreduction (< 2 cm of residual disease) had the highest prognostic value for survival. A total five-year survival in this study was 37.3 %.

Does the Performance of Splenectomy as Part of Cytoreductive Surgery Carry a Worse Prognosis Than in Patients Not Receiving Splenectomy? A Propensity Score Analysis and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Ultra-radical (UR) procedures, including splenectomy, are utilized to increase complete cytoreduction rates during Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) performed with the aim of complete macroscopic clearance of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate if splenectomy negatively impacts survival when undertaken during CRS for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) and compare published splenectomy and cytoreduction rates.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery for AOC between 16/05/2013-28/01/2019. Survival, baseline patient characteristics, complications and surgical parameters were recorded. Propensity scored matching (PSM) was performed to reduce bias.

RESULTS

154 patients identified over 71 months. 97 underwent standard, 57 underwent UR surgery, 27 patients received splenectomy (17.5%) No difference was seen in overall survival (OS) between all patients (median OS 34 months (95%CI 25.9-41.1) and patients who underwent splenectomy (median OS not yet reached) (p = >0.05). After PSM for various baseline covariates, no significant difference in splenectomy versus non-splenectomy patients (3-year survival 54% compared to 56%) (P > 0.05). Three splenectomy specific complications occurred; one each of pancreatic tail injury, left pleural effusion and streptococcal pharyngitis during chemotherapy. We found wide variation in utilization of splenectomy in published case series; from 9% to 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

Splenectomy performed as part of CRS is not detrimental to survival in AOC. There is a wide variation in utilization of splenectomy in published case series with little correlation with cytoreduction rates.

Time-interval to adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative management after upper abdominal surgical procedures in advanced ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), longer time-interval from surgery to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (TITC) is associated with decreased survival. Adding upper abdominal surgical procedures (UAP) increases rates of both complete gross resection and postoperative complications in EOC. Our objective was to investigate the association of UAP and TITC. Moreover, if specific postoperative monitoring after the most prevalent UAP increases early detection and management of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Women diagnosed with EOC 2014-2016 in the Stockholm/Gotland Region in Sweden were identified in the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynaecologic Cancer. The association between UAP and TITC was investigated by multivariable linear regression and adjusted for predefined confounders. The follow-up and detection of postoperative complications after diaphragm resection, splenectomy and cholecystectomy was examined.

RESULTS

240 women were selected for analysis. The TITC in women subjected to UAP was similar with a median of 30 days (p = 0.99). Moreover, despite a higher rate of postoperative and major complications (p < 0.001) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.001), in the adjusted analysis there was no association between UAP and prolonged TITC, with a mean difference of -2.27 days (95% Confidence Interval (CI), -5.99 to -1.45, p = 0.23). After the most prevalent UAP (diaphragm resection, splenectomy and cholecystectomy), eventual postoperative interventions were based on routine clinical management rather than procedure-specific postoperative surveillance.

CONCLUSION

UAP does not prolong TITC despite an increased rate of postoperative complications and longer length of hospital stay. Clinical non-specific surveillance is sufficient to detect postoperative complications after the most prevalent UAP.

Learning curve for gynecological oncologists in performing upper abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

To assess the learning curve for gynecological oncologists in performing upper abdominal surgery for management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

Patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for stage IIIC and IV EOC that required at least one surgical procedure in the upper abdomen were divided in three numerically equal groups: group 1, 2 and 3 that underwent surgery between December 2012 and July 2014, August 2014 to March 2016 and April 2016 to March 2018 respectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six patients were included. The percentage of patients undergoing primary surgery for group 1, 2 and 3 was 47.6%, 50.0% and 73.8%, respectively (P=0.02). There was significant increase in the percentage of patients undergoing cholecystectomy (P=0.02), resection of disease from porta hepatis (P=0.008), liver capsulectomy (P<0.001), lesser omentectomy (P<0.001) and celiac trunk lymphadenectomy (P<0.001) in the group 3. There was no difference in the percentage of patients undergoing splenectomy, diaphragmatic peritonectomy/resection and gastrectomy. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 54.8%, 35.7% and 64.3% of patients in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively (P=0.028). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of grade 3-5 complications. Presence of a liver surgeon was required in 9.1%, 5.6% and 0% of cases in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results reflect the evolution of surgical skills in the upper abdomen through the increase in the percentage of patients undergoing primary surgery, with the surgical team undertaking more complex procedures, less involvement of other specialties and simultaneously achieving higher rates of complete cytoreduction.

The Peritoneal Cancer Index is a Strong Predictor of Incomplete Cytoreductive Surgery in Ovarian Cancer

Background

Extent of tumor load is an important factor in the selection of ovarian cancer patients for cytoreductive surgery (CRS). The Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) gives exact information on tumor load but still is not standard in ovarian cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to find a PCI cutoff for incomplete CRS. The secondary aims were to identify reasons for open-close surgery and to compare surgical complications in relation to tumor burden.

Methods

The study included 167 women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer scheduled for CRS. Possible predictors of incomplete surgery were evaluated with receiver operator curves, and a PCI cutoff was identified. Surgical complications were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Chi square tests.

Results

The median PCI score for all the patients was 22 (range 3–37) but 33 (range 25–37) for the patients with incomplete surgery (n = 19). The PCI predicted incomplete CRS, with an area under the curve of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.98). Complete CRS was obtained for 67.2% of the patients with a PCI higher than 24, who experienced an increased rate of complications (p = 0.008). Overall major complications were found in 16.9% of the cases. Only 28.6% of the patients with a PCI higher than 33 achieved complete CRS. The reason for open-close surgery (n = 14) was massive carcinomatosis on the small bowel in all cases.

Conclusion

The study found PCI to be an excellent predictor of incomplete CRS. Due to a lower surgical success rate, the authors suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be considered if the PCI is higher than 24. Preoperative radiologic assessment should focus on total tumor burden and not necessarily on specific regions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1245/s10434-020-08649-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Maximal-Effort Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Cancer Patients with a High Tumor Burden: Variations in Practice and Impact on Outcome

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two distinct patient populations treated within two neighboring UK cancer centers (A and B) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all new stages 3 and 4 EOC patients treated between January 2013 and December 2014 was performed. The Mayo Clinic surgical complexity score (SCS) was applied. Cox regression analysis identified the impact of treatment methods on survival.

RESULTS

The study identified 249 patients (127 at center A and 122 in centre B) without significant differences in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (FIGO 4, 29.7% at centers A and B), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (ECOG < 2, 89.9% at centers A and B), or histology (serous type in 84.1% at centers A and B). The patients at center A were more likely to undergo surgery (87% vs 59.8%; p < 0.001). The types of chemotherapy and the patients receiving palliative treatment alone were equivalent between the two centers (3.6%). The median SCS was significantly higher at center A (9 vs 2; p < 0.001) with greater tumor burden (9 vs 6 abdominal fields involved; p < 0.001), longer median operation times (285 vs 155 min; p < 0.001), and longer hospital stays (9 vs 6 days; p < 0.001), but surgical morbidity and mortality were equivalent. The independent predictors of reduced overall survival (OS) were non-serous histology (hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.61), ECOG higher than 2 (HR, 1.9; 95% CI 1.15-3.13), and palliation alone (HR, 3.43; 95% CI 1.51-7.81). Cytoreduction, of any timing, had an independent protective impact on OS compared with chemotherapy alone (HR, 0.31 for interval surgery and 0.39 for primary surgery), even after adjustment for other prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating surgery into the initial EOC management, even for those patients with a greater tumor burden and more disseminated disease, may require more complex procedures and more resources in terms of theater time and hospital stay, but seems to be associated with a significant prolongation of the patients overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone.

ESMO-ESGO consensus conference recommendations on ovarian cancer: pathology and molecular biology, early and advanced stages, borderline tumours and recurrent disease

The development of guidelines is one of the core activities of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and European Society of Gynaecologial Oncology (ESGO), as part of the mission of both societies to improve the quality of care for patients with cancer across Europe. ESMO and ESGO jointly developed clinically relevant and evidence-based recommendations in several selected areas in order to improve the quality of care for women with ovarian cancer. The ESMO-ESGO consensus conference on ovarian cancer was held on April 12-14, 2018 in Milan, Italy, and comprised a multidisciplinary panel of 40 leading experts in the management of ovarian cancer. Before the conference, the expert panel worked on five clinically relevant questions regarding ovarian cancer relating to each of the following four areas: pathology and molecular biology, early-stage and borderline tumours, advanced stage disease and recurrent disease. Relevant scientific literature, as identified using a systematic search, was reviewed in advance. During the consensus conference, the panel developed recommendations for each specific question and a consensus was reached. The recommendations presented here are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. This article presents the recommendations of this ESMO-ESGO consensus conference, together with a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.

ESMO-ESGO consensus conference recommendations on ovarian cancer: pathology and molecular biology, early and advanced stages, borderline tumours and recurrent disease†

The development of guidelines recommendations is one of the core activities of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and European Society of Gynaecologial Oncology (ESGO), as part of the mission of both societies to improve the quality of care for patients with cancer across Europe. ESMO and ESGO jointly developed clinically relevant and evidence-based recommendations in several selected areas in order to improve the quality of care for women with ovarian cancer. The ESMO-ESGO consensus conference on ovarian cancer was held on 12-14 April 2018 in Milan, Italy, and comprised a multidisciplinary panel of 40 leading experts in the management of ovarian cancer. Before the conference, the expert panel worked on five clinically relevant questions regarding ovarian cancer relating to each of the following four areas: pathology and molecular biology, early-stage and borderline tumours, advanced stage disease and recurrent disease. Relevant scientific literature, as identified using a systematic search, was reviewed in advance. During the consensus conference, the panel developed recommendations for each specific question and a consensus was reached. The recommendations presented here are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. This article presents the recommendations of this ESMO-ESGO consensus conference, together with a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.

Clinical value of bioelectrical properties of cancerous tissue in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Currently, there are no valid pre-operatively established biomarkers or algorithms that can accurately predict surgical and clinical outcome for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In this study, we suggest that profiling of tumour parameters such as bioelectrical-potential and metabolites, detectable by electronic sensors, could facilitate the future development of devices to better monitor disease and predict surgical and treatment outcomes. Biopotential was recorded, using a potentiometric measurement system, in ex vivo paired non-cancerous and cancerous omental tissues from advanced stage EOC (n = 36), and lysates collected for metabolite measurement by microdialysis. Consistently different biopotential values were detected in cancerous tissue versus non-cancerous tissue across all cases (p < 0.001). High tumour biopotential levels correlated with advanced tumour stage (p = 0.048) and tumour load, and negatively correlated with stroma. Within our EOC cohort and specifically the high-grade serous subtype, low biopotential levels associated with poorer progression-free survival (p = 0.0179, p = 0.0143 respectively). Changes in biopotential levels significantly correlated with common apoptosis related pathways. Lactate and glucose levels measured in paired tissues showed significantly higher lactate/glucose ratio in tissues with low biopotential (p < 0.01, n = 12). Our study proposes the feasibility of biopotential and metabolite monitoring as a biomarker modality profiling EOC to predict surgical and clinical outcomes.

The preoperative albumin level is an independent prognostic factor for optimally debulked epithelial ovarian cancer

PURPOSE

A low albumin level has been reported to be a prognostic factor for various cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the association between preoperative serum albumin level and survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

Records of 337 patients with EOC that underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Threshold albumin level was planned as 32.5 g L^-1 due to the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Mean overall survival was 51.5 months. Area under the ROC curve was found statistically significant for the discriminative role of albumin for survival outcome (AUC = 0.857, 95% CI 0.813-0.90, P < 0.001). The best cut-off point for albumin was determined as 32.5 g L^-1. The sensitivity rate, specificity rate, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy rate for this cut-off level were found 67.2, 91.2, 81.2, 83.1, and 82.5%, respectively. Preoperative hypoalbuminemia was noted in 101 (30.0%) of the patients, of which 6.2% had an albumin level <25 g L^-1. The albumin level was independently and significantly associated with overall survival (HR 2.6; 95% CI 2.1-3.1; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with an albumin level <32.5 and ≥32.5 g L^-1 had mean estimated overall survival of 40.6 and 96.0 months, respectively. Age, stage, and presence of ascites were the other independent significant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative albumin level is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in optimally debulked EOC patients. Further investigations about preoperative albumin level in prognostic models will contribute to the literature.

The impact of ultra-radical surgery in the management of patients with stage IIIC and IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to estimate the percentage of patients with metastatic ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer requiring ultra-radical surgery to achieve cytoreduction to less than 1 cm (optimal) or no macroscopic residual disease (complete).

METHODS

Perioperative data were collected prospectively on consecutive patients undergoing elective cytoreductive surgery for metastatic epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, a tertiary referral cancer centre in the United Kingdom from November 2012 to June 2016.

RESULTS

Over a 42-month period, 135 consecutive patients underwent cytoreductive surgery for stage IIIC and IV ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The median age of the patients was 69 years. 47.4% of the patients underwent diaphragmatic peritonectomy and/or resection, 20% underwent splenectomy, 14.1% had excision of disease from porta hepatis and celiac axis, and 5.2% of the patients had gastrectomy. Cytoreduction to no macroscopic visible disease (complete) and to disease with greater tumour diameter of less than 1 cm (optimal) was achieved in 54.1 and 34.1% of the cases, respectively. Without incorporating surgical procedures in the upper abdomen ('ultra-radical'), the combined rate of complete and optimal cytoreduction would be only 33.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 50.4% of the patients in this study required at least one surgical procedure classified as ultra-radical, emphasizing the importance of cytoreductive surgery in the upper abdomen in management of women with stage IIIC and IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer.