Pattern and impact of metastatic cardiophrenic lymph nodes in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Do PET-positive supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes predict overall survival or the success of primary surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer?

OBJECTIVES

Compared to conventional computed tomography (CT), fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) detects higher rates of lymph node and distant metastases in patients with ovarian cancer. However, FDG-PET/CT is not routinely performed during preoperative work-up. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic value of preoperative FDG-PET/CT in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and its predictive value for surgical resection in patients with no residual disease. The potential significance of PET-positive supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes (SDLNs) for these parameters was evaluated.

METHODS

All patients with FIGO IIA-IVB EOC diagnosed between March 2014 and January 2021 at our certified gynaecological cancer centre, who underwent FDG PET/CT before primary surgery were retrospectively included.

RESULTS

Fifty-three consecutive patients were included in the study. Eighteen (34 %) patients had PET-positive SDLNs. We could not demonstrate a significant correlation between PET-positive SDLNs and median overall survival (OS; SDLN-positive: 58.76 months, SDLN-negative: 60.76 months; p = 0.137) or intra- or perioperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

FDG PET/CT has a higher detection rate for SDLNs in patients with ovarian cancer than CT has, as described in the literature. Moreover, PET-positive SDLNs failed to predict intraoperative outcomes or overall survival.

Survival impact and safety of intrathoracic and abdominopelvic cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Achieving no residual disease is essential for increasing overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in ovarian cancer patients. However, the survival benefit of achieving no residual disease during both intrathoracic and abdominopelvic cytoreductive surgery is still unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the survival benefit and safety of intrathoracic and abdominopelvic cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

We systematically searched for studies in online databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. We used Q statistics and I-squared statistics to evaluate heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis to test the origin of heterogeneity, and Egger's and Begg's tests to evaluate publication bias.

Results

We included 4 retrospective cohort studies, including 490 patients, for analysis; these studies were assessed as high-quality studies. The combined hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for OS was 1.92 (95% CI 1.38-2.68), while the combined HR for PFS was 1.91 (95% CI 1.47-2.49). Only 19 patients in the four studies reported major complications, and 4 of these complications were surgery related.

Conclusion

The maximal extent of cytoreduction in the intrathoracic and abdominopelvic tract improves survival outcomes, including OS and PFS, in advanced ovarian cancer patients with acceptable complications.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023468096.

Neglected Anatomical Areas in Ovarian Cancer: Significance for Optimal Debulking Surgery

Ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecological malignancy, usually presents in advanced stages. Characterized by peritoneal and lymphatic dissemination, OC necessitates a complex surgical approach usually involving the upper abdomen with the aim of achieving optimal cytoreduction without visible macroscopic disease (R0). Failures in optimal cytoreduction, essential for prognosis, often stem from overlooking anatomical neglected sites that harbor residual tumor. Concealed OC metastases may be found in anatomical locations such as the omental bursa; Morison's pouch; the base of the round ligament and hepatic bridge; the splenic hilum; and suprarenal, retrocrural, cardiophrenic and inguinal lymph nodes. Hence, mastery of anatomy is crucial, given the necessity for maneuvers like liver mobilization, diaphragmatic peritonectomy and splenectomy, as well as dissection of suprarenal, celiac, and cardiophrenic lymph nodes in most cases. This article provides a meticulous anatomical description of neglected anatomical areas during OC surgery and describes surgical steps essential for the dissection of these "neglected" areas. This knowledge should equip clinicians with the tools needed for safe and complete cytoreduction in OC patients.

Impact of supradiaphragmatic lymphadenectomy on the survival of patients in stage IVB ovarian cancer with thoracic lymph node metastasis

Introduction

To evaluate the survival impact of supradiaphragmatic lymphadenectomy as part of debulking surgery in stage IVB ovarian cancer with thoracic lymph node metastasis (LNM).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with stage IVB ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer between 2010 and 2020, carrying cardiophrenic, parasternal, anterior mediastinal or supraclavicular lymph nodes ≥5 mm on axial chest computed tomography. All tumors were classified into the abdominal (abdominal tumors and cardiophrenic lymph nodes) and supradiaphragmatic (parasternal, anterior mediastinal or supraclavicular lymph nodes) categories depending on the area involved. Residual tumors were classified into <5 vs ≥5 mm in the abdominal and supradiaphragmatic areas. Based on the site of recurrence, they were divided into abdominal, supradiaphragmatic and other areas.

Results

A total of 120 patients underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS, n=68) and interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (IDS/NAC, n=53). Residual tumors in the supradiaphragmatic area ≥5 mm adversely affected progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with marginal significance after PDS despite the lack of effect on survival after IDS/NAC (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 6.478 and 6.370; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.224-18.864 and 0.953-42.598). Further, the size of residual tumors in the abdominal area measuring ≥5 mm diminished OS after IDS/NAC (adjusted HR, 9.330; 95% CIs, 1.386-62.800).

Conclusion

Supradiaphragmatic lymphadenectomy during PDS may improve survival in patients diagnosed with stage IVB ovarian cancer manifesting thoracic LNM. Further, suboptimal debulking surgery in the abdominal area may be associated with poor OS after IDS/NAC.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05005650; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05005650; first registration, 13/08/2021).Research Registry (Research Registry UIN, researchregistry7366; https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/?view_2_search=researchregistry7366&view_2_page=1).

A retrospective analysis for investigating the relationship between FIGO stage IVA/IVB and cytoreductive surgery with prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective

To investigate the effect of primary debulking surgery (PDS), NACT followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS), and chemotherapy alone on the prognosis of FIGO stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with different metastatic patterns.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 133 cases of FIGO stage IV EOC with pleural effusion (stage IVA), parenchymal metastases (stage IVB), or extra-abdominal lymph node metastases (stage IVB) at our Hospital between January 2014 and July 2021.

Results

Among 133 cases with stage IV disease, 16.5% (n=22) presented with pleural effusion, 46.6% (n=62) with parenchymal metastases, and 36.9% (n=49) with extra-abdominal lymph node metastases. Regardless of the metastatic patterns, the 90.2% (n=120) of cases who underwent PDS/NACT-IDS exhibited a significantly superior overall survival (OS) compared to the 9.8% cases (n=13) who received chemotherapy alone (32 vs 17 months, p=0.000). The cohort was further stratified into 58 cases (48.3%) with R0, 41 cases (34.2%) with R1, and 21 cases (17.5%) with R2. The median OS of cases with R0 was significantly better than that of cases with R1/R2 (74 vs 27 months, p=0.000). There was no significant difference in median OS between PDS and NACT-IDS (43 vs 31 months, p=0.676), as well as between FIGO IVA and IVB (35 vs 31 months, p=0.582). Additionally, the metastatic patterns and the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles (≤4 or >4) did not demonstrate any prognostic significance for median OS (p=0.820 and 33 vs 26 months, p=0.280, respectively).

Conclusion

Regardless of FIGO IVA and IVB stages or metastatic patterns, patients diagnosed with stage IV EOC may benefit from cytoreductive surgery with abdominal R0, compared with chemotherapy alone.

Radiologically enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes and CA-125 in relation to diaphragmatic carcinomatosis, surgical outcome, and overall survival in advanced ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

We primarily aimed to determine whether the presence of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLNs), visualized by computed tomography (CT), and CA-125 can be used to assess diaphragmatic carcinomatosis and residual disease (RD) in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients treated with upfront surgery. The secondary aim was to determine the prognostic role of CT-CPLNs in overall survival (OS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single-center, retrospective, population-based study was conducted of patients who underwent surgery for AOC from January 1, 2014-December 31, 2018. Suspicious CT-CPLNs were defined as having a short axis ≥5 mm. The median survival and rate of survival were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method using multivariate Cox regression analyses, including comparisons of complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS; defined as the complete removal of all intra-abdominal tumor) versus noncomplete cytoreductive surgery (non-CCS) and analyses related to CT-CPLN status and preoperative CA-125 values.

RESULTS

We included 208 patients. CT-CPLNs correlated with both diaphragmatic carcinomatosis (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.81-7.16, p < 0.01) and RD (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.38-4.6, p = 0.003). When CCS was achieved, no differences in survival between patients with suspicious or nonsuspicious CT-CPLNs were found. The relationships between CA-125 ≥ 500 U/ml and diaphragmatic carcinomatosis (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.86-6.64, p < 0.01) and RD (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.33-4.38, p = 0.004) were positive. All data were adjusted for age and ECOG performance status. Survival analyses were also adjusted for RD.

CONCLUSION

Enlarged CPLNs on CT scans and CA-125 levels correlate with diaphragmatic carcinomatosis and RD at the end of the surgery. The strongest prognostic factor for OS remains CCS, regardless of the CT-CPLN status.

Imaging ovarian cancer - from baseline characteristics to high-risk image factors

BACKGROUND

Imaging ovarian cancer (OC) includes evaluating peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and enlarged cardio phrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) by computed tomography (CT), and thorough evaluation is tedious work. A "CT short score" with high-risk CT parameters might be a more pragmatic approach, but it is not known if such a short score associates with aggressive OC subtypes and impaired OC survival. Further, it is not known if certain established OC risk factors are linked to high-risk CT-findings which would be important in image evaluation. Herein, we investigate a CT short score and its relation to baseline characteristics, OC subtypes, and survival.

METHODS

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective cohort that included 17,035 women (1991-1996). Baseline characteristics and tumor information on 159 OC and information on OC specific survival (last follow-up, 2017-12-31) was registered. A CT short score (CPLN and PC-index (PCI) in seven regions) was registered and associations with clinical stage [stage I vs. advanced stage (II-IV), histological type/grade (high grade serous and endometrioid vs. other subtypes], and OC-specific survival were analyzed with logistic and Cox regression, respectively. Parity and menopausal status were analyzed in relation to short score and PCI.

RESULTS

There was an association between higher short score and advanced clinical stage (adjusted OR 2.76 (1.42-5.38)), adjusted for age at diagnosis and histological type/grade. Higher short score was associated with impaired OC specific survival (adjusted HR 1.17 (1.01-1.35)), adjusted for age at diagnosis, histological type/grade, and clinical stage. There were no significant associations between parity, menopausal status, and short score/PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

CT short score was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages and impaired OC survival. A pragmatic approach (based on CT) to evaluate high risk image findings in OC could help reduce radiologists' workload and at the same time provide structured reports to surgeons and oncologists involved in OC care.

Clinical significance of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes by CT in advanced ovarian cancer

Aim

This study aims to assess the clinical influence of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) on staging computed tomography (CT) among patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 320 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent staging CT from May 2008 to January 2019. The CPLN diameter was the average of two radiologists’ measurements. Enlarged CPLN was defined as a short-axis diameter of ≥5 mm. Clinical and imaging findings, management decisions, and progression-free survival(PFS) were compared between patients with and without enlarged CPLN.

Results

Enlarged CPLN was found in 129 (40.3%) patients, which was significantly associated with more pelvic peritoneal carcinomatosis (odds ratio [OR]: 6.61 with 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51–28.99), and involved the greater omentum (OR: 6.41, 95% CI: 3.05–13.46), spleen capsule nodules (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.58–5.06), and liver capsule nodules (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.57–4.17). The optimal cytoreduction rates did not differ between patients with and without enlarged CPLN (p = 0.656). The presence of enlarged CPLN had a significant negative influence on PFS (median PFS, 23.5 vs. 80.6 months, respectively, CPLN ≥5 mm versus &lt;5 mm; p = 0.023) in patients with no RD after primary debulking surgery, but no adverse effect on PFS among patients with RD (median PFS, 28.0 vs. 24.4 months, respectively, CPLN ≥5 mm versus &lt;5 mm; p = 0.359). However, enlarged CPLN on staging CT did not affect PFS in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with (median PFS, 22.4 vs. 23.6 months, respectively, CPLN ≥5 mm versus &lt;5 mm; p = 0.360) or without RD (median PFS, 17.7 vs. 23.3 months, respectively, CPLN ≥5 mm versus &lt;5 mm; p = 0.400). The enlarged CPLN showed a decreased trend in 81.6% (n = 80) of the patients with enlarged CPLN. No significant difference was found in PFS (p = 0.562) between patients with decreased and increased in the size of CPLN.

Conclusions

Enlarged CPLN on staging CT is associated with more abdominal disease but is not reliable in predicting complete resection. Enlarged CPLN awareness is necessary for patients with a primary chance of complete resection of abdominal disease.

Response to treatment and prognostic significance of supradiaphragmatic disease in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the response to chemotherapy of supradiaphragmatic disease diagnosed by preoperative imaging. As secondary objectives, oncologic outcomes of patients affected by supradiaphragmatic disease and their pattern of recurrence were also evaluated.

METHODS

Data of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed FIGO stage IV (for supradiaphragmatic disease) epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing either primary debulking surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery between 2004 and 2021, were retrospectively collected. All patients were preoperatively evaluated by chest/abdominal CT scan or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT preoperatively and at follow-up to evaluate response to chemotherapy. At follow-up visits, site of recurrence diagnosed by imaging techniques was systematically recorded as it occurred. Progression-free and overall survival were measured by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox models.

RESULTS

A total of 130 patients was included in this study with a median (range) follow-up of 32.9 (12.8-176.7) months. Complete or partial response was achieved in most of the patients after 3 cycles (77.7%) and 6 cycles (85.4%) of chemotherapy. At follow-up, recurrence occurred in 96 (73.8%) patients and the main site of recurrence was abdomen only in 64 (66.7%) patients. At multivariate analysis, residual disease after surgery was the only variable influencing survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Supradiaphragmatic disease respond to chemotherapy in most patients affected by advanced EOC and recurrence mainly occurs in the abdomen. Results from this study confirms that abdominal optimal cytoreduction is the main surgical goal in the treatment of women affected by FIGO stage IV EOC.

What are the implications of radiologically abnormal cardiophrenic lymph nodes in advanced ovarian cancer? An analysis of tumour burden, surgical complexity, same-site recurrence and overall survival

INTRODUCTION

Our paper evaluates the relationship between radiologically abnormal cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) in advanced ovarian cancer and pattern of disease distribution, tumour burden, surgical complexity, rates of cytoreduction and same-site recurrence. Impact of suspicious CPLN and CPLN dissection on overall survival also determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of index CT imaging for 151 consecutive patients treated for stage III/IV ovarian malignancy in a large UK cancer centre to identify radiologically abnormal CPLN. Corresponding surgical, histo-pathological and survival data analysed.

RESULTS

42.6% of patients had radiologically 'positive' CPLN on index CT. Radiological identification of CPLN involvement demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% within our centre. Patients with cardiophrenic lymphadenopathy on pre-operative CT had significantly more co-existing ascites (p = 0.003), omental (p = 0.01) and diaphragmatic disease (p < 0.0001). At primary debulking (PDS), suspicious CPLN were associated with significantly higher surgical complexity scores, without feasibility of complete cytoreduction being impacted. Cardiophrenic involvement at initial diagnosis was associated with same-site relapse at recurrence (p = 0.001). No significant difference in overall survival was demonstrated according to CPLN status following either PDS or delayed debulking (DDS). CPLN dissection did not improve patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Radiological identification of abnormal CPLN is reliable. Suspicious CPLN appear to represent a surrogate marker of tumour volume - in particular, heralding upper abdominal disease - and should prompt anticipation of high complexity surgery and referral to an appropriate centre. Patients with prior CPLN involvement are more likely to develop same-site recurrence at relapse. Our survival data suggests cardiophrenic LN disease does not worsen patient prognosis and that the therapeutic benefit of CPLN dissection remains unclear.

The role of computed tomography in the assessment of tumour extent and the risk of residual disease after upfront surgery in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC)

Purpose

Epithelial ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages. To choose the best therapeutic approach, an accurate preoperative assessment of the tumour extent is crucial. This study aimed to determine whether the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), the amount of ascites, and the presence of cardiophrenic nodes (CPLNs) visualized by computed tomography (CT) can assess the tumour extent (S-PCI) and residual disease (RD) for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients treated with upfront surgery.

Methods

In total, 118 AOC cases were included between January 2016 and December 2018 at Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Linear regression and interclass correlation (ICC) analyses were used to determine the relationship between CT-PCI and S-PCI. The patients were stratified in complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS) with no RD or to non-CCS with RD of any size. The amount of ascites on CT (CT-ascites), CA-125 and the presence of radiological enlarged CPLNs (CT-CPLN) were analysed to evaluate their impact on estimating RD.

Results

CT-PCI correlated well with S-PCI (0.397; 95% CI 0.252–0.541; p < 0.001). The risk of RD was also related to CT-PCI (OR 1.069 (1.009–1.131), p < 0.023) with a cut-off of 21 for CT-PCI (0.715, p = 0.000). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 58.5, 70.3, 52.2 and 75.4%, respectively. CT-ascites above 1000 ml predicted RD (OR 3.510 (1.298–9.491) p < 0.013).

Conclusion

CT is a reliable tool to assess the extent of the disease in advanced ovarian cancer. Higher CT-PCI scores and large volumes of ascites estimated on CT predicted RD of any size.

Survival in Advanced-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients with Cardiophrenic Lymphadenopathy Who Underwent Cytoreductive Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph node (CPLN) in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC) patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery.

METHODS

The Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles from the database inception to June 2021. Meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prognostic impact of surgical outcome, postoperative complication, and survival using random-effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies involving 727 patients with CPLN adenopathy and 981 patients without CPLN adenopathy were included. The mean size of preoperative CPLN was 9.1± 3.75 mm. Overall, 82 percent of the resected CPLN were histologically confirmed pathologic nodes. Surgical outcomes and perioperative complications did not differ between both groups. The median OS time was 42.7 months (95% CI 10.8-74.6) vs. 47.3 months (95% CI 23.2-71.2), in patients with and without CPLN adenopathy, respectively. At 5 years, patients with CPLN adenopathy had a significantly increased risk of disease recurrence (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.82-2.52, p < 0.001) and dying from the disease (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.06-2.86, p = 0.029), compared with those without CPLN adenopathy. CPLN adenopathy was significantly associated with ascites (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.90-5.72, p < 0.001), pleural metastasis (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.37-4.82, p = 0.003), abdominal adenopathy (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.53-3.46, p < 0.001) and extra-abdominal metastasis (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.61-6.67, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Enlarged CPLN in preoperative imaging is highly associated with metastatic involvement. Patients with CPLN adenopathy had a lower survival rate, compared with patients without CPLN adenopathy. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to definitively demonstrate whether CPLN resection at the time of cytoreductive surgery is beneficial.

Performance of Multiparametric Functional Imaging to Assess Peritoneal Tumor Burden in Ovarian Cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical utility of pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT with quantitative evaluation of peritoneal metabolic cartography in relation to staging laparoscopy for ovarian carcinomatosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 84 patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IIIC to IV ovarian cancer was carried out. All patients had a double-blinded 18F-FDG PET/CT review. Discriminant capacity of metabolic parameters to identify peritoneal carcinomatosis in the 13 abdominal regions according to the peritoneal cancer index was estimated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The metabolic parameter showing the best trade-off between sensitivity and specificity to predict peritoneal extension compared with peritoneal cancer index score was the metabolic tumor volume (MTV), with a Spearman ρ equal to 0.380 (P < 0.001). The AUC of MTV to diagnose peritoneal involvement in the upper abdomen (regions 1, 2, and 3) ranged from 0.740 to 0.765. MTV AUC values were lower in the small bowel regions (9-12), ranging from 0.591 to 0.681, and decreased to 0.487 in the pelvic region 6. 18F-FDG PET/CT also improved the detection of extra-abdominal disease, upstaging 35 patients (41.6%) from stage IIIC to IV compared with CT alone and leading to treatment modification in more than one third of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

18F-FDG PET/CT metrics are highly accurate to reflect peritoneal tumor burden, with variable diagnostic value depending on the anatomic region. MTV is the most representative metabolic parameter to assess peritoneal tumor extension.

Prognostic impact of the subclassification of Müllerian cancer stage IV in the FIGO 2014 staging system with a focus of extra-abdominal lymph node metastases

BACKGROUND

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for Müllerian cancer was changed in 2014. Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic impact of stage IV subclassification in this new staging system, especially focusing on extra-abdominal lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with stage IV Müllerian cancer treated between 2005 and 2016 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Data for the following clinicopathological variables were analyzed: (1) FIGO stage; (2) tumor stage; (3) lymph node status; (4) histologic type; (5) neoadjuvant chemotherapy; (6) optimal surgery; and (7) bevacizumab use. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

In accordance with the new classification, 28 and 54 patients were classified as FIGO IVA and IVB, respectively. In the Cox proportional hazards model, early-stage tumors (T1b-3b) and optimal surgery were statistically significant favorable prognostic factors. However, the new FIGO system did not discriminate prognostically between stage IVA and IVB. Median overall survival of stage IVB patients diagnosed with extra-abdominal lymph node metastasis only was better than that of stage IVA and stage IVB patients diagnosed with solid organ metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis of the revised FIGO system of patients reclassified as FIGO stage IVA or IVB, no new prognostic information was obtained. There is a possibility that stage IVB patients diagnosed with extra-abdominal lymph node metastasis only can be classified as an earlier stage. Further modification of the FIGO staging system may be needed to improve the prediction of patient prognosis.

Postoperative chest liver herniation after cardiophrenic lymph node resection by a transdiaphragmatic approach following primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced endometrioid ovarian cancer: A case report

Resection of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) is a procedure required to obtain complete cytoreduction in selected patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer. Their resection by transdiaphragmatic approach has been demonstrated to be feasible with low rates of morbidity. The main complications associated with this procedure are pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and rarely, chylothorax. This case describes a postoperative chylothorax and chest liver herniation in a patient who underwent a cytoreductive surgery for advanced endometrioid ovarian cancer, which included a right transdiaphragmatic CPLN resection. Surgical management by thoracotomy was required to repair the right diaphragmatic defect combined with conservative management of the chylothorax. The diaphragmatic closure was achieved employing interrupted stitches with a non-absorbable suture. No prosthetic material was required.

Clinical significance of CT detected enlarged cardiophrenic nodes in ovarian cancer patients

AIM

To assess the relevance of enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) seen on staging CT of ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with primary ovarian malignancy who underwent staging CT between 2013 and 2016. Images were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus. Enlarged CPLN was defined as a short axis diameter ≥ 7 mm. Clinical and imaging findings; management decisions; outcome of cytoreductive surgery and survival were compared between patients with and without enlarged CPLN on staging CT.

RESULTS

Enlarged CPLN were found in 42 patients (41.5%) and was significantly associated with higher radiological PCI (p = 0.002); large volume upper abdominal disease (p = 0.001); enlarged lesser omental, periportal and supra-renal para-aortic lymph nodes (p ≤ 0.05); unfavorable sites of disease involvement (p < 0.001) and extraperitoneal metastases (p = 0.004). While there was a significant difference in the number of patients who underwent primary and interval debulking (p = 0.002), there was no difference in the rates of optimal cytoreduction between the two groups (p = 0.469). After adjusting for outcomes of cytoreductive surgery, CT detected enlarged CPLN did not adversely affect the overall survival, HR 1.5 (0.708-3.4), p = 0.272, but adversely affected the recurrence free survival (HR 2.38 (1.25-4.53)), p = 0.008.

CONCLUSIONS

Enlarged CPLN detected on staging CT in patients with primary ovarian cancer is clinically significant even in the developing world and is associated with higher volume of peritoneal, non-regional nodal and extraperitoneal disease and lower recurrence free survival.

Enlarged cardiophrenic lymph nodes predict disease involvement of the upper abdomen and the outcome of primary surgical debulking in advanced ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

The outcome of ovarian cancer patients is highly dependent on the success of primary debulking surgery in terms of postoperative residual disease. This study critically evaluates the clinical impact of preoperative radiologic assessment of the cardiophrenic lymph node (CPLN) status in advanced ovarian cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Baseline CT scans of 178 stage III and IV ovarian cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed by two independent radiologists. CPLN enlargement defined at a short-axis ≥5 mm was evaluated for its prognostic value and predictive power of upper abdominal tumor involvement and the chance of complete intra-abdominal tumor resection at primary debulking surgery. Only patients without surgically removed CPLN were eligible for this study.

RESULTS

Enlarged CPLNs were detected in 50% of patients and correlated with radiologically suspicious (P = .028) and histologically confirmed (P = .001) paraaortic lymph node metastases. CPLNs ≥ 5 mm were associated with high CA-125 levels at baseline and revealed independent prognostic relevance for progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.42) and overall survival (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.16-4.08). Noteworthy, patients with enlarged CPLNs nonetheless benefit from complete intra-abdominal tumor debulking in terms of an improvement in progression-free survival (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38-0.94) and overall survival (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.82). Enlarged CPLNs correctly predicted carcinomatosis of the upper abdomen in 94.6%. A predictive score of complete tumor debulking, termed CD-score, which integrates, beside a CPLN short axis <5 mm, an ascites volume <500 mL, and CA-125 levels <500 U/mL at baseline, correctly predicted complete intra-abdominal debulking in 100% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CPLNs ≥5 mm predict upper abdominal tumor involvement. The application of the CD-score predicted complete macroscopic tumor resection at primary surgery in all of the patients. Although, CPLN pathology suggests extra-abdominal disease, we consistently demonstrated that patients nonetheless benefit from complete intra-abdominal tumor resection.

Ovarian cancer subtypes and survival in relation to three comprehensive imaging parameters

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is usually detected in late clinical stages, and imaging at diagnosis is crucial. Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and cardio phrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) are pathological findings of computed tomography (CT) and are relevant for surgical planning. Furthermore, mammographic breast density (BD) has shown an association with OC risk and might be prognostically relevant. However, it is not known if PC, CPLN, and BD are associated with aggressive OC subtypes and impaired OC survival. Herein, we investigated associations between three comprehensive image parameters and OC subtypes and survival.

Methods

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective study that included 17,035 women (1991–1996). Tumor information on 159 OC and information on OC specific survival (last follow-up, 2017-12-31) was registered. The CT and mammography closest to diagnosis were evaluated (Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index PCI, CPLN, and BD). Associations between CT-PCI, CPLN, and BD vs. clinical stage [stage I vs. advanced stage (II-IV), histological type/grade (high grade serous and endometrioid vs. other subtypes], and OC-specific survival were analyzed by logistic and Cox regression.

Results

There was a significant association between higher CT-PCI score and advanced clinical stage (adjusted OR 1.26 (1.07–1.49)), adjusted for age at diagnosis and histological type/grade. Increasing CT-PCI was significantly associated with impaired OC specific survival (adjusted HR 1.04 (1.01–1.07)), adjusted for age at diagnosis, histological type/grade, and clinical stage. There was no significant association between PCI and histological type/grade, nor between BD or CPLN vs. the studied outcomes.

Conclusions

Image PCI score was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages and impaired OC survival. An objective approach (based on imaging) to scoring peritoneal carcinomatosis in ovarian cancer could help surgeons and oncologists to optimize surgical planning, treatment, and care.

Recurrence patterns in patients with abnormal cardiophrenic lymph nodes at ovarian cancer diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

Metastases in cardiophrenic lymph nodes noted at diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer confer a poor prognosis. It is unclear if cardiophrenic nodal metastases portend an atypical pattern of recurrence. We report on patients with radiographically involved cardiophrenic lymph nodes who underwent optimal primary debulking surgery to describe patterns of recurrence and response to chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary debulking surgery for stage IIIC/IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma with residual disease ≤1.0 cm at our institution from 2003 to 2011 with a pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scan were identified. Scans were reviewed by blinded radiologists, who identified abnormal cardiophrenic lymph nodes via a qualitative assessment scale based on size, heterogeneity, and architecture.

RESULTS

Of the 250 patients identified, a recurrence site was documented in 22/27 (81.5%) with abnormal pre-operative cardiophrenic lymph nodes (defined by an elevated Qualitative Assessment Scale (QAS) score of ≥4), and in 128/223 (57.4%) without abnormal pre-operative cardiophrenic lymph nodes. Median short axis and long axis lymph node diameters for these patients was 9 (range 6-15) mm and 15 (range 11-22) mm, respectively. Cardiophrenic lymph nodes were resected in one patient. Patients with abnormal cardiophrenic nodes are more likely to have synchronous recurrence in thorax/pelvis and abdomen (50.0% (11/22) vs 25.0% (32/128), p=0.02) and less likely to have isolated recurrence in pelvis or abdomen (40.9% (9/22) vs 68.0% (87/128)). All patients who had a CT scan after six cycles of chemotherapy had improvement (defined as reduction of QAS score) in cardiophrenic lymphadenopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite cardiophrenic adenopathy demonstrating a complete radiographic response to chemotherapy, their presence pre-operatively is associated with an increased risk of recurrence in the thorax. Knowledge of this propensity to recur in the thorax is important to ensure all extra-abdominal recurrence sites are diagnosed and managed appropriately.

The Feasibility of Cardiophrenic Lymphnode Assessment and Removal in Patients Requiring Diaphragmatic Resection During Interval Debulking Surgery for Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility and role of bulky cardiophrenic lymph nodes (CPLNs) resection during primary debulking surgery (PDS) for stage IV ovarian cancer (OC). However, no studies, to date, investigated the accuracy and feasibility of CPLNs assessment and removal during interval debulking surgery (IDS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of consecutive stage IV OC patients who underwent NACT followed by IDS with CPLNs assessment and/or resection from July 2017 to June 2018. Bulky CPLNs were considered for excision when a full-thickness diaphragmatic resection was required in order to achieve complete tumour resection.

RESULTS

A total of 21 ovarian cancer stage IV patients treated with NACT followed by IDS were identified. Seven (33.3%) patients underwent CPLNs resection due to bulky appearance of the CPLNs at the intraoperative palpation. The final histological examination of the CPLNs reported metastatic disease in four (57%) of seven patients. Complete cytoreduction without residual disease was achieved in five cases (71.4%) while in two case (28.6%) optimal cytoreduction was performed. Intra-operative surgical complications occurred in one patient. One patient had a major postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo 3). Two cases of postoperative cardiac arrhythmia were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

CPLNs intraoperative assessment is less accurate during IDS compared to previous PDS studies. CPLNs removal during IDS after NACT for stage IV OC could be safely performed to achieve a complete resection.

[Are there still indications of lymph node dissection in epithelial ovarian cancers after the LION trial?]

In March 2019, Harter et al. published the results of the LION study (Lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced ovarian neoplasms) which raises the question of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). These results influenced the new French recommendations published in December 2018 by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). Thus, it no longer seems consistent to perform a systematic lymphadenectomy for patients for whom there is no argument for nodal involvement, when a macroscopic complete peritoneal cytoreductive surgery has been performed. The question of preoperative lymph node assessment is therefore essential, whereas more than half of the patients in the LION study had metastatic lymph node involvement that was histologically proven. For the assessment of lymph node status by imaging, superior sensitivity for Positron Emission Tomography is demonstrated in comparison with CT-scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Nevertheless, thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT-scan with contrast injection remains the gold standard for this indication. In the absence of suspected involvement, supra-renal, mesenteric, coelio-hepatic, and cardio-phrenic lymphadenectomy are not recommended. Lymphadenectomies should always be performed in the other situations of EOC management apart from the rare case of stage 1 expansile subtype mucinous carcinoma. The aim of this review is to discuss lymphadenectomy indications for the surgical management of EOC by taking into account new data from the scientific literature.