Clinical significance of microinvasion in borderline ovarian tumors and its impact on surgical management

The challenging management of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) in women of childbearing age

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) account for approximately 15% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. In 80% of cases the diagnosis of BOTs is done at stage I and more than a third of BOTs occurs in women younger than 40 years of age wishing to preserve their childbearing potential; the issue of conservative surgical management (fertility-sparing treatment) is thus becoming of paramount importance. At early stages, the modalities of conservative treatment could range from mono-lateral cystectomy to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Although cystectomy is the preferred method to promote fertility it can lead to an elevated risk of recurrence; therefore, an appropriate counseling about the risk of relapse is mandatory before opting for this treatment. Nevertheless, relapses are often benign and can be treated by repeated conservative surgery. Besides the stage of the disease, histological subtype is another essential factor when considering the proper procedure: as most mucinous BOTs (mBOTs) are more commonly unilateral, the risk of an invasive recurrence seems to be higher, compared to serous histotype, therefore unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is recommended. In the appraisal of current literature, this review aims to gain better insight on the current recommendations to identify the right balance between an accurate staging and an optimal fertility outcome.

A Novel Case of Recurrent Mucinous Borderline Ovarian Tumor: Early Relapse and Fatal Outcome

Unlike ovarian carcinomas, borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are associated with a favorable prognosis: their recurrence rate is around 5–7%, and the survival rate is more than 97% when diagnosed early. There are only a few reports of recurrence and fatal outcomes. Herein, we report a novel case of recurrent mucinous BOT, with a literature review. A 63-year-old woman presented to a local doctor with abdominal fullness. She was diagnosed as having a polycystic tumor. The lesion was suspected to be a mucinous BOT (M-BOT) on magnetic resonance imaging. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed no digestive cancerous lesions, and surgery was performed. Intra-operative diagnosis confirmed the diagnosis, and total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy were performed. The final pathological diagnosis was non-invasive M-BOT (stage I c1 (T1c1N0M0)). The result of immunohistochemical staining supported the diagnosis of primary ovarian mucinous tumor.Four months after surgery, relapse occurred. Blood tests revealed an elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, and computed tomography revealed multiple liver metastases, peritoneal dissemination, left ureter infiltration, and carcinomatous peritonitis. Although the patient underwent chemotherapy, she died. This case of a very short progression-free and overall survival in stage I M-BOT indicates that some M-BOTs could result in fatal clinical outcomes despite diagnosis at an early stage. Frequent follow-up appointments after surgery could help detect relapse and increase survival in such cases.

Unilateral cystectomy and serous histology are associated with relapse in borderline ovarian tumor patients with fertility-sparing surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Surgical procedures, histological subtypes, and surgical approaches are involved in the recurrence of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs), but whether those three factors affect relapse remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the effects of surgical procedures, histological subtypes, and surgical approaches on the relapse and pregnancy rates of BOT after fertility-preserving surgery (FPS) according to the patients' characteristics.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library was conducted from their inception to November 2018. Studies that investigated the impact of surgical procedures, histological subtypes, and surgical approaches on the relapse and pregnancy rates in patients with BOT after FPS were eligible. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies involving a total of 2921 patients with BOT after FPS were included. The pooled ORs indicated that the risk of relapse was significantly increased in patients who underwent unilateral cystectomy or with serous BOT. There was no significant difference between laparoscopy and laparotomy on the risk of relapse. Surgical procedures, histological subtypes, and surgical approaches did not influence pregnancy rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent unilateral cystectomy or with serous BOT presented an excess risk of relapse after FPS, but the surgical approach did not affect the risk of relapse. The pregnancy rate is not affected by surgical procedures, histological subtypes, and surgical approaches.

[Borderline Ovarian Tumours: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Relapse, Follow-up and Interest of a Completion Surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinical practice guidelines from the French college of obstetrics and gynecology (CNGOF) based on the best evidence available, concerning epidemiology of recurrence, the risk or relapse and the follow-up in case of borderline ovarian tumor after primary management, and evaluation of completion surgery after fertility sparing surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

English and French review of literature from 2000 to 2019 based on publications from PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, with keywords borderline ovarian tumor, low malignant potential, recurrence, relapse, follow-up, completion surgery. From 2000 up to this day, 448 references have been found, from which only 175 were screened for this work.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Overall risk of recurrence with Borderline Ovarian Tumour (BOT) may vary from 2 to 24% with a 10-years overall survival>94% and risk of invasive recurrence between 0.5 to 3.8%. Age<40 years (level of evidence 3), advanced initial FIGO stage (LE3), fertility sparing surgery (LE2), residual disease after initial surgery for serous BOT (LE2), implants (invasive or not) (LE2) are risk factors of recurrence. In case of conservative treatment, serous BOT had a higher risk of relapse than mucinous BOT (LE2). Lymphatic involvement (LE3) and use of mini invasive surgery (LE2) are not associated with a higher risk of recurrence. Scores or Nomograms could be useful to assess the risk of recurrence and then to inform patients about this risk (gradeC). In case of serous BOT, completion surgery is not recommended, after conservative treatment and fulfillment of parental project (grade B). It isn't possible to suggest a recommendation about completion surgery for mucinous BOT. There is not any data to advise a frequency of follow-up and use of paraclinic tools in general case of BOT. Follow-up of treated BOT must be achieved beyond 5 years (grade B). A systematic clinical examination is recommended during follow-up (grade B), after treatment of BOT. In case of elevation of CA-125 at diagnosis use of CA-125 serum level is recommended during follow-up of treated BOT (grade B). When a conservative treatment (preservation of ovarian pieces and uterus) of BOT is performed, endovaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography is recommended during follow-up (grade B). There isn't any sufficient data to advise a frequency of these examinations (clinical examination, ultrasound and CA-125) in case of treated BOT.

CONCLUSION

Risk of relapse after surgical treatment of BOT depends on patients' characteristics, type of BOT (histological features) and modalities of initial treatment. Scores and nomogram are useful tools to assess risk of relapse. Follow-up must be performed beyond 5 years and in case of peculiar situations, use of paraclinic evaluations is recommended.

[Borderline Ovarian Tumours: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Therapeutic Management of Early Stages]

OBJECTIVES

To provide guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available, concerning early stage borderline ovarian tumors (BOT).

METHODS

Bibliographical search in French and English languages by consultation of Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and international databases.

RESULTS

Considering management of early stage BOT, if surgery is possible without a risk of tumor rupture, the laparoscopic approach is recommended compared to laparotomy (Grade C). In BOT, it is recommended to take all the measures to avoid tumor rupture, including the peroperative decision of laparoconversion (Grade C). In BOT, extraction of the surgical specimen using an endoscopic bag is recommended (Grade C). In case of early stage, uni or bilateral BOT, suspected in preoperative imaging in a postmenopausal patient, bilateral adnexectomy is recommended (Grade B). In cases of bilateral BOT and desire of fertility preservation, a bilateral cystectomy is recommended (Grade B). In case of mucinous BOT and desire of fertility preservation, it is recommended to perform a unilateral adnexectomy (Grade C). In case of endometrioid BOT and desire of fertility preservation, it is not possible to establish a recommendation of treatment choice between cystectomy and unilateral adnexectomy. In case of mucinous BOT at definitive histological analysis in a woman of childbearing age who had an initial cystectomy, surgical revision for unilateral adnexectomy is recommended (Grade C). In the case of serous BOT with definitive histological analysis in a woman of childbearing age who has had an initial cystectomy, it is not recommended to repeat surgery for adnexectomy in the absence of residual suspicious lesion during initial surgery and/or on postoperative imaging (referent ultrasound or pelvic MRI) (Grade C). An omentectomy is recommended for complete initial surgical staging when BOT is diagnosed on extemporaneous analysis or suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade B). There is no data in the literature to recommend the type of omentectomy to be performed. If restaging surgery is decided for a presumed early stage BOT, an omentectomy is recommended (Grade B). Multiple peritoneal biopsies are recommended for complete initial surgical staging when BOT is diagnosed on extemporaneous or suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade C). In case of restaging surgery for a presumed early stage BOT, exploration of the abdominal cavity should be complete and peritoneal biopsies should be performed on suspicious areas or systematically (Grade C). A primary peritoneal cytology is recommended in order to achieve complete initial surgical staging when BOT is suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade C). In case of restaging surgery for presumed early stage BOT, a first peritoneal cytology is recommended (Grade C). For early serous or mucinous BOT, it is not recommended to perform a systematic hysterectomy (Grade C). For early stage endometrioid BOT, and in the absence of a desire to maintain fertility, hysterectomy is recommended for initial surgery or if restaging surgery is indicated (Grade C). For endometrioid-type early stage BOT, if there is a desire for fertility preservation, the uterus may be retained subject to good evaluation of the endometrium by imaging and endometrial sampling (Grade C). In case of surgery (initial or restaging if indicated) for early stage BOT, it is recommended to evaluate the macroscopic appearance of the appendix (Grade B). In case of surgery (initial or restaging if indicated) for early stage BOT, appendectomy is recommended only in case of macroscopically pathological appearance of the appendix (Grade C). Pelvic and lumbar aortic lymphadenectomy is not recommended for initial surgery or restaging surgery for early stage BOT regardless of histologic type (Grade C). In case of BOT diagnosed on definitive histology, the indication of restaging surgery should be discussed in Multidisciplinary Collaborative Meeting. For presumed early stage BOT, it is recommended to use the laparoscopic approach to perform restaging surgery (Grade C). Restaging surgery is recommended for serous BOT with micropapillary appearance and unsatisfactory abdominal cavity inspection during initial surgery (Grade C). Restaging surgery is recommended in case of mucinous BOT if only a cystectomy has been performed or the appendix has not been visualized, then a unilateral adnexectomy will be performed (Grade C). If a restaging surgery is decided in the management of a presumed early stage BOT, the actions to be carried out are as follows: a peritoneal cytology (Grade C), an omentectomy (there is no data in the literature recommending the type of omentectomy to be performed) (Grade B), a complete exploration of the abdominal cavity with peritoneal biopsies on suspect areas or systematically (Grade C), visualization of the appendix± the appendectomy in case of pathological macroscopic appearance (Grade C), unilateral adnexectomy in case of mucinous TFO (Grade C).

A Rare Case of Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumor with Brain Metastasis

Background. Serous borderline tumor represents a group of noninvasive tumor of the ovary bridging between benign serous cystadenoma and serous carcinoma. They are commonly seen in younger women and usually have an excellent outcome but seldom show local recurrence (J. F. Leake et al. 1991). Metastasis to the lymph nodes has rarely been reported (M. D. Chamberlin et al., 2001; M. B. Verbruggen et al., 2006). Moreover, the brain is exceptionally a rare metastatic site for ovarian tumor. There is one case of an advanced staged SBT with micropapillary pattern metastasis to the brain recently and by far it is the most distant metastasis reported (M. D. Martin et al., 2017). However, to the best of our knowledge, no report has been documented for a recurrent stage 1 typical SBT metastasizing to the brain.

Histopathological Patterns of Microinvasion in Ovarian Serous Borderline Tumors

Stromal microinvasion in ovarian serous borderline tumors can take various aspects, some of which are difficult to identify. Thus, the identification of stromal microinvasion is relatively simple for typical intracystic papillary proliferations such as serous borderline tumors, but may be difficult for tumors with glandular component. The study analyzed 14 cases of ovarian serous borderline tumors diagnosed in patients with mean age of 47,1 years. Histopathologically all tumors corresponded to typical forms in which we identified only two cases of stromal microinvasion. In one case, microinvasion was of eosinophilic type, and in the other case was observed a glandular and micropapillary pattern, being associated with the noninvasive peritoneal implants.

Prognostic Factors for Recurrence After Fertility-Preserving Surgery in Patients With Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to find the unfavorable prognostic factors for recurrence after fertility-preserving surgery (FPS) in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs).

METHODS

To perform a meta-analysis to compare the recurrence rates of BOT patients after FPS according to different prognostic factors, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for observational studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

We analyzed 32 studies that included 2691 BOT patients who underwent FPS, 383 patients of whom had a relapse in the follow-up. In meta-analysis, risks associated with recurrence in patients with unilateral cystectomy (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.86-3.33) or serous borderline ovarian tumors (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.97-5.02) were significantly increased, and there was no significantly increased OR for patients with laparoscopy compared with those with laparotomy (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.57-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral cystectomy (19.4%) and serous BOTs (19.2%) are significantly associated with higher recurrence rates, and no negative impact of laparoscopy on recurrence can be demonstrated when compared with laparotomy in the meta-analysis.

The Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated With Relapse and Recurrence of Borderline Ovarian Tumors With Long-Term Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to analyze the risk factors of relapse and to compare the type of recurrence in patients with borderline tumors treated and followed up in Oncologic Center in Warsaw.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective-prospective cohort study of 307 patients with confirmed borderline ovarian tumors treated in the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center in Warsaw between 1994 and 2010. Univariate and multivariate analysis as well as Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to explore the impact of different covariates on progression-free survival. The analysis included the following potential prognostic factors: age, CA 125 value, stage according to classification of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), methods and radicality of operation, staging, tumor capsule rupture, histopathology, implants, ascites, and microinvasion. The analysis of relapses was also performed.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed the negative impact of 2 factors on progression-free survival: FIGO II/III (implants) (P = 0.011) and ascites (P = 0.027). The multivariate analyses showed the detrimental effect of FIGO Ic (HR, 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-6.17, P = 0.027), FIGO II or III (implants) (HR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.56-8.61, P = 0.003), and incomplete staging (HR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.09-12.07, P = 0.035), but not ascites (P > 0.1). Relapse occurred in 32 (10%) patients: in 22 patients as borderline and in 10 patients as invasive tumor. Seven (70%) patients with invasive relapse died of disease. All patients with borderline relapses were successfully managed by second surgery, which in 80% was again conservative.

CONCLUSIONS

Relapses in borderline ovarian tumor are uncommon, in 10% of patients. Invasive relapses are rare, only in 3% of patients, but often with fatal course irrespective of the treatment applied. The most important clinical risk factors of relapse are implants (FIGO II/III), FIGO Ic, and incomplete staging and this patients as well as patients with ascites should be closely followed. Relapses of borderline histology are easily detected and successfully managed by surgery.

What is the impact of stromal microinvasion on oncologic outcomes in borderline ovarian tumors? A multicenter case-control study

PURPOSE

To investigate clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcome of women with microinvasive BOTs.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter case-control study was conducted on 902 patients with BOT, who underwent surgery from January 2002 to December 2015 at six participating gynecologic oncology centers from Turkey. Among 902 patients, 69 had microinvasive BOT. For every patient with microinvasive BOT, two controls were randomly selected from another database based on decade of age and stage of disease at diagnosis. The clinical-pathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were compared between BOT patients with and without stromal microinvasion. Risk factors for poor oncological outcomes were investigated in a multivariate analysis model. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Patients with microinvasive BOT had a significantly higher rate of recurrence than patients without microinvasive BOT (17.4 vs 7.8%, OR 3.55, %95 CI 1.091-11.59, p = 0.03). Stage at diagnosis (stage I versus II/III) and type of surgery (cystectomy versus others) were found as other significant prognostic factors for recurrence in multivariate analysis (OR 8.63, %95 CI 2.48-29.9, p = 0.001 and OR 19.4, %95 CI 3.59-105.6, p = 0.001, respectively). Stromal microinvasion was found as a prognostic factor for significantly shorter DFS (26.7 vs 11.9 months, p = 0.031, log rank). However, there was no significant difference in OS between two groups (p = 0.99, log rank).

CONCLUSION

Stromal microinvasion is significantly associated with decreased DFS. In addition, our study confirms that the risk of recurrence is higher in patients with microinvasive BOT.

Fertility Preservation Is Safe for Serous Borderline Ovarian Tumors

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval and the influence of fertility-preserving surgery (FPS) versus radical surgery (RS) in patients with serous borderline ovarian tumor (BOT).

Methods

Clinical parameters of patients with serous BOT treated between 1993 and 2013 in one institution were retrospectively investigated. All tumors were examined by one pathologist with experience in gynecological pathology.

Results

One hundred thirty-two patients with serous BOT (inclusive 16 microinvasive) were analyzed (45% were ≤40 years), with a median follow-up of 6 years. Thirty-two percent (42/132) of the patients received FPS; 14% (18/132) relapsed (invasive or borderline). The 5-year progression-free survival was 89%. The risk of recurrence was higher in patients 40 years or younger (P = 0.019), after FPS (P = 0.002), in patients with a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P = 0.016), for bilateral BOT (P = 0.0132), and for the micropapillary variant (P = 0.067). The OS at 5 years was 97%. There was no statistically significant difference in OS between FPS and RS [all (6 of 90) patients, except for 1, with RS died]. One patient died of relapsed BOT. Among the recurrences, low-grade invasive carcinoma was diagnosed in 4 patients. Three of these 4 patients were originally operated radically, 2 had a micropapillary variant FIGO stage III, and 1 had a papillary pattern FIGO stage II with microinvasion; all 3 had noninvasive implants and are alive. One patient with a micropapillary variant, FIGO stage IIIC with microinvasion and invasive implants, received FPS and died of disease.

Conclusions

The risk of recurrence is higher after FPS compared with RS; however, no influence on OS was observed. This was because most of the patients relapsed as BOT. Fertility preservation is justified in young patients with serous borderline tumors.

Staging for low malignant potential ovarian tumors: a global perspective

OBJECTIVE

We describe current evidence for staging low malignant potential ovarian tumors and their conformity to current consensus guidelines and practice from an international perspective.

DATA SOURCES

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases was conducted for articles published between January 1990 and April 2015.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies on low malignant potential ovarian tumors that evaluated the prognostic value of disease stage, staging vs no staging, complete vs incomplete staging, or discrete components of staging were eligible. Studies that described only crude survival rates were excluded.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Eligible studies were categorized according to their outcome (disease stage, staging procedure, or discrete staging elements). Data were abstracted using a standard form. Inconsistencies on data abstraction were resolved by consensus among the authors. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Of 1116 studies, 702 were excluded for irrelevance and 364 for not meeting inclusion criteria. Nine studies were excluded for describing crude survival rates without a comparative conclusion. We found that studies supporting the value of defining disease stage or staging procedures (mostly conducted in northern Europe) included more patients than studies that did not find disease stage or staging useful (predominantly from North America, 4072 vs 3951). Disease stage correlated with survival in 13 of 25 studies, whereas none of the studies that evaluated the value of staging found it beneficial (9 studies, 1979 patients). Studies that evaluated isolated components of staging found no benefit to these procedures. Regional guidelines and consensus reviews drew conclusions based on a limited number of studies that generally originated from the same region.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the correlation of stage with survival was mixed, performing staging procedures for low malignant potential ovarian tumors is not supported by the best available evidence. Guidelines in support of staging based their recommendations on a few regional studies and conflict with better-quality data that do not support staging procedures. An international consensus statement is needed to standardize the surgical management of low malignant potential ovarian tumors.

Epithelial Tumors of the Ovary in Children and Teenagers: A Prospective Study from the Italian TREP Project

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical findings and treatment results of a series of patients with epithelial tumors of the ovary, registered and treated prospectively in a multi-institutional Italian network (TREP project) on rare tumors in children and adolescent between 2000 and 2014.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data on 16 patients, aged 22 to 206 months, from 7 centers were reviewed. All patients were grouped on the basis of the results of the first surgical approach, according to the Children Oncology Group staging system.

RESULTS

The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain; 3 patients were hospitalized for acute pain after ovarian torsion. Initial surgical treatment was complete in 15 of 16, and a biopsy was performed in 1 of 16. The histology examination revealed 8 benign tumors (7 mucinous cystadenomas and 1 serous cystadenoma) and 8 borderline tumors (2 serous and 6 mucinous). Fifteen of 16 patients maintained the complete remission after surgical treatment alone; 1 affected by Proteus syndrome died consequent to the progression of a synchronous Wilms tumor, after a delayed incomplete surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis documented the rarity of these tumors in children and adolescents. No malignant histologies were found. Surgery alone was effective to cure the majority of patients. Considering the rarity of malignant entities, ovary-sparing surgery may be planned when an epithelial tumor is suspected on the basis of the preoperative work-up and intraoperative findings.

Management of Borderline Ovarian Tumors Based on Patient and Tumor Characteristics

BACKGROUND

Borderline ovarian tumors are staged similarly to invasive ovarian tumors.

AIMS

We wanted to better understand which tumors were associated with disease recurrence.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis at a single institution between 1984 and 2005. Cases were confirmed by pathology report. Multivariate analysis was done to evaluate factors associated with recurrence.

RESULTS

143 cases were identified. Mean follow-up was 73.5 months. The overall risk of recurrence was 12%. The hazard ratio for risk of recurrence was highest among seromucinous tumors at 4.04 and lowest among mucinous tumors at 0.53. Only 4% of mucinous tumors, 15.5% of serous tumors and 28.6% of seromucinous tumors recurred. 2% of mucinous tumors had an appendix positive for metastasis. No mucinous tumor had nodal disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our data, a low rate of appendiceal or lymph node involvement was observed in mucinous tumors, as was a low risk of recurrence. Less aggressive staging may be considered if a mucinous tumor is identified on frozen section with a normal-appearing appendix in the absence of pseudomyxoma peritonei. In patients with a serous or a seromucinous tumor, complete surgical staging is recommended. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Clinicopathological aspects of patients with recurrence of borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

Despite the good prognosis of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs), a few BOT patients experience the relapse of disease, either borderline or malignant. However, the risk of recurrence of BOTs is somewhat controversial. We intended to find out the specific characteristics and prognosis of the recurrence of BOTs.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2012, 130 women were diagnosed with BOTs at a single institution. Eleven patients diagnosed and treated for the recurrence of BOTs including seven cancerous and four borderline relapses were included for the analysis in this retrospective study. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical procedures as well as follow-up data with overall survival were assessed. Statistical analyses was performed using the χ(2) test, t-test and log-rank test with Cox regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty patients with mean follow-up of 65.8 months were evaluated, of whom half were below 40 years old at their first diagnosis of BOTs. Among 11 recurrent cases (8.5%), 7 cancerous transformations (5.4%) and 4 borderline recurrences (3.1%) were detected with median time of 6 and 71 months after the primary surgery, respectively. Nine out of 11 recurrences were happened at their equal or below 40-years-old age at the primary diagnosis (P=0.027). Also, all 7 cancerous relapses arose from premenopausal women of median age of 35 years old. Twenty (15%) patients had laparoscopic surgery and they were all treated conservatively. Among those 20, 5 were suffered from relapse of BOTs and laparoscopic approach was proved to be a significant risk factor for disease relapse in our study (P=0.013). Although laparoscopic surgery was revealed had meaningful influence on disease free survival (P=0.024), it was not significant on overall survival (P=0.226).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic conservative surgery for BOTs can be accepted under close follow-ups. And younger patients should be followed for long period to evaluate recurrence.

Conservative surgery in ovarian borderline tumours: a meta-analysis with emphasis on recurrence risk

BACKGROUND

Recent reports have stirred the debate regarding the optimal conservative treatment for both serous and mucinous borderline ovarian tumour (BOT). The aim of this study is to examine the optimal oncological approach of conservative surgery in unilateral BOT (cystectomy (C) versus unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO)) and in bilateral BOT (bilateral C (BC) versus USO+contralateral C (CC)), as well as fertility outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed database and Cochrane Library were searched using the search terms (((Borderline) OR (low malignant potential)) AND (ovarian)) AND ((tumour) OR (cancer)) AND (((fertility sparing) OR (conservative)) AND surgery).

RESULTS

We analysed 39 studies that included 5105 women (2624 patients with serous-, 2120 patients with mucinous- and the remaining with other types of BOT), 2752 of which underwent conservative surgery (817 underwent C, 89 BC, 1686 USO and 118 USO+CC). Eight studies included only stage I patients, in 14 studies more than 90% of patients were stage I and five studies included only late-stage patients. Seven studies included only patients with serous borderline ovarian tumour (sBOT) and two only mucinous borderline ovarian tumour (mBOT). A total of 296 patients with non-invasive-, 76 patients with invasive- and 50 patients with unspecified implants were pooled. Of the patients undergoing C, BC, USO and USO+CC the pooled recurrence estimates were respectively 25.3%, 25.6%, 12.5% and 26.1%. In meta-analysis, USO was significantly favored over C with an OR for recurrence reduction=2200, 95% CI=0.793-2.841 and p<0.0001. The pooled recurrence estimate as invasive ovarian cancer was 15.4% and the pooled 95% CI was 0.120-0.196. The cumulative pregnancy rate was 55.7% with 45.4% for USO and 40.3.0% for C.

CONCLUSION

Cystectomy in unilateral serous BOT is significantly associated with a higher recurrence rate, albeit no impact on survival can be demonstrated. Whether this is related to the duration of follow-up, remains to be proven. Nonetheless, recent data seem to suggest that USO is advisable in the case of mucinous BOT. On the contrary, a more conservative approach (BC) should be definitively favored in bilateral BOT, which is almost always serous, because no significant difference is seen in terms of recurrence rate when compared to USO+CC.

[Methods and conditions of fertility preservation in early-stage ovarian tumors]

The aim of this study is to review the literature of fertility-sparing techniques and their safety in early-stage malignant ovarian tumors, especially in epithelial ovarian cancer. Fertility preservation is widely accepted in early-stage borderline, germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors. Based on data from retrospective studies, fertility-sparing surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer can be recommended in stage IA, grade 1-2 and favorable hystologic type ovarian cancer. Above stage IA, or in grade 3, or in clear-cell tumors decision making process about fertility-sparing surgery should be individual. Correct surgical staging is mandatory and oncologic safety should be of primary importance. In the group of carefully selected patients oncological outcomes are identical to those of radical surgery. Spontaneous pregnancy rates vary, but they are generally high. Adequate counseling with patients, detailed documentation and careful follow-up is of outstanding importance. In order to improve the quality of fertility preservation techniques, establishment of treatment centers is recommended.