Role of systematic lymphadenectomy at the time of interval debulking surgery for patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma who achieved complete gross resection

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of systematic lymphadenectomy at the time of interval cytoreductive surgery for patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma who achieved complete gross resection.

METHODS

The National Cancer DataBase was accessed, and patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 with advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma who underwent interval cytoreductive surgery and achieved complete gross resection were identified. Patients who did not undergo lymphadenectomy and those who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy (defined as at least 20 lymph nodes removed) were selected for further analysis. Median overall survival was compared with the log-rank test and controlled for a priori selected confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1060 patients were identified. Systematic lymphadenectomy was performed for 125 (11.8%) patients with a median of 29 lymph nodes (range 20-72) removed. Rate of lymph node metastasis was 62.4%. Patients who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy had higher rate of unplanned readmission (8.9% vs 1.6%, p<0.001), and median hospital stay (6 vs 4 days, p<0.001). Median overall survival for patients who did and did not undergo systematic lymphadenectomy was 44.2 and 40.4 months, respectively, p=0.40. After controlling for confounders, performance of systematic lymphadenectomy was not associated with better survival (HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.19).

CONCLUSION

Systematic lymphadenectomy is rarely performed at the time of interval cytoreductive surgery and not associated with a survival benefit for patients who achieved complete gross resection.

Analysis of clinicopathological features and prognosis of double primary cervical cancer and ovarian cancer based on SEER database

OBJECTIVE

Double primary cervical cancer and ovarian cancer refer to the simultaneous or successive appearance of cervical cancer and ovarian cancer in the same patient. Due to the low incidence, there are few relevant reports. Therefore, this study is the first population-based analysis of the clinicopathological features as well as the prognostic status of double primary cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. We look forward to providing a reference for future clinical diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

In this study, 473 cases of double primary cervical cancer and ovarian cancer were collected from 1975 to 2019 through the SEER database. Double primary cancers were considered non-synchronous when they were diagnosed more than 6 months apart and were classified as Group A. Double primary cancers were considered synchronous when the interval between diagnosis of the two tumors was less than or equal to 6 months and was classified as group B.

RESULTS

In this study, the incidence of double primary cervical cancer and ovarian cancer accounted for 0.39% of primary cervical cancer and 0.24% of primary ovarian cancer in the same period. 80% of patients developed second cancer within 107 months of their first cancer being diagnosed. Compared with non-synchronous cancer, synchronous cancer is mainly characterized by simultaneous bilateral ovarian involvement and early clinical stage, but highly malignant, high lymph node metastasis rate, and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Most patients developed second cancer within 107 months of their first cancer being diagnosed. Age at diagnosis, bilateral ovarian invasion, the interval between diagnoses, pathological type and stage of ovarian cancer, and grade of cervical cancer are important factors affecting survival, which still needs to be confirmed by more extensive studies in future.

Systematic lymph node dissection during interval debulking surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of systematic lymph node dissection (SyLND) at the time of interval debulking surgery (IDS) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC).

METHODS

Systematic literature review of studies including AEOC patients undergoing SyLND versus selective lymph node dissection (SeLND) or no lymph node dissection (NoLND) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Primary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included severe postoperative complications, lymphocele, lymphedema, blood loss, blood transfusions, operative time, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

Nine retrospective studies met the eligibility criteria, involving a total of 1,660 patients: 827 (49.8%) SyLND, 490 (29.5%) SeLND, and 343 (20.7%) NoLND. The pooled estimated hazard ratios (HR) for PFS and OS were, respectively, 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.65-1.20; p=0.43) and 0.80 (95% CI=0.50-1.30; p=0.37). The pooled estimated odds ratios (ORs) for severe postoperative complications, lymphocele, lymphedema, and blood transfusions were, respectively, 1.83 (95% CI=1.19-2.82; p=0.006), 3.38 (95% CI=1.71-6.70; p<0.001), 7.23 (95% CI=3.40-15.36; p<0.0001), and 1.22 (95% CI=0.50-2.96; p=0.67).

CONCLUSION

Despite the heterogeneity in the study designs, SyLND after NACT failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in PFS and OS and resulted in a higher risk of severe postoperative complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42022303577.

Prognostic value of systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To appraise clinical outcomes of systematic lymphadenectomy in women with ovarian cancer based on stage, control group and type of chemotherapy.

STUDY DESIGN

A literature search was conducted on SCOPUS, PUBMED, COCHRANE, MEDLINE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases. All comparative studies that assess outcomes of systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer were eligible. Overall survival was analyzed by pooling log hazard ratio (HR) and standard error of multivariable Cox regression models. MOGGE Meta-analysis Matrix is a novel illustration tool that was used to demonstrate multiple subgroup analyses of included studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were eligible. Systematic lymphadenectomy was associated with better overall survival, that was close to significance, compared to control group (HR 0.93, 95 %CI 0.86-1.00). Among women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, overall survival improved in women with stage IIB-IV who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy (HR 0.91, 95 %CI 0.84-0.99) and was most significant among patients with stage III to IV (HR 0.85, 95 %CI 0.73-0.99). Systematic lymphadenectomy did not improve survival in women who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.97, 95 %CI 0.73-1.29). Systematic lymphadenectomy was associated with improved progress-free survival compared to control group (HR 0.88, 95 %CI 0.79-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Although data from clinical trials do not support role of systematic lymphadenectomy in advanced ovarian cancer, overall data conveys stage-specific survival benefit. Further clinical trials may be warranted to assess substage survival outcomes in women with advanced stages.

Risks and benefits of systematic lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery for advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymphadenectomy is debated in patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of lymphadenectomy in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS).

METHODS

A retrospective, unicentric study including all patients undergoing NACT and IDS was carried out from 2005 to 2018. Patients with and without lymphadenectomy were compared in terms of recurrence free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and complication rates.

RESULTS

We included 203 patients. Of these, 133 had a lymphadenectomy (65.5%) and 77 had involved nodes (57.9%). Patients without a lymphadenectomy were older, had a more extensive disease and less complete CRS. No differences were noted between the lymphadenectomy and no lymphadenectomy group concerning 2-year RFS (47.4% and 48.6%, p = 0.87, respectively) and 5-year OS (63.2% versus 58.6%, p = 0.41, respectively). Post-operative complications tended to be more frequent in the lymphadenectomy group (18.57% versus 31.58%, p = 0.09). In patients with a lymphadenectomy, survival was significantly altered if the nodes were involved (positive nodes: 2-year RFS 42.5% and 5-year OS 49.4%, negative nodes: 2-year RFS 60.7% and 5-year OS 82.2%, p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Lymphadenectomy during IDS does not improve survival and increases post-operative complications.

Role of Circulating miRNAs in Therapeutic Response in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Revision

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, mostly due to nonspecific symptoms and a lack of screening tests, which, taken together, contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment. The current clinical biomarker is serum CA-125, which allows the identification of most advanced primary and relapsed disease and correlates with disease burden; however, as well highlighted in the literature, CA-125 often lacks sensitivity and specificity, and is not helpful in monitoring chemotherapeutic response or in predicting the risk of relapse. Given that, the identification of novel biomarkers able to foster more precise medical approaches and the personalization of patient management represents an unmet clinical requirement. In this context, circulating miRNAs may represent an interesting opportunity as they can be easily detected in all biological fluids. This is particularly relevant when looking for non-invasive approaches that can be repeated over time, with no pain and stress for the oncological patient. Given that, the present review aims to describe the circulating miRNAs currently identified as associated with therapeutic treatments in OC and presents a complete overview of the available evidence.

What can we learn from the 10 mm lymph node size cut-off on the CT in advanced ovarian cancer at the time of interval debulking surgery?

INTRODUCTION

The benefit of a systematic lymphadenectomy is still debated in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) in ovarian cancer (OC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the pre-NACT and post-NACT CT in predicting definitive histological lymph node involvement. The prognostic value of a positive node on the CT was also assessed.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

A retrospective, unicentric cohort study was performed including all patients with ovarian cancer who underwent NACT and IDS with a lymphadenectomy between 2005 and 2018. CT were analyzed blinded to pathology, and nodes with small axis ≥ 10 mm on CT were considered positive. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and negative (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV) and their CI95% were calculated. The 2-year recurrence free survival (RFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) was compared.

RESULTS

158 patients were included, among which 92 (58%) had histologically positive lymph nodes. CT had a Se, Sp, NPV and PPV of 35%, 82%, 47% and 73% before NACT and 20%, 97%, 47% and 91% after NACT, respectively. Patients with nodes considered positive had a non-significant lower 2-year RFS and 5-year OS on the pre-NACT and post-NACT CT. Patients at 'high risk' (nodes stayed positive on the CT or became positive after NACT) also had a non-significant lower 2-year RFS and 5-year OS.

CONCLUSION

Presence of enlarged lymph nodes on CT is a weak indicator of lymph node involvement in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing NACT. However, it could be used to assess prognosis.

Role of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in delayed debulking surgery after six neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

We analyzed the role of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in delayed debulking surgery after six neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles for advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma who underwent NACT with carboplatin-paclitaxel between 2008 and 2016. Patients were included only if they had FIGO IIIC-IVB high-grade serous carcinoma with clinically negative lymph nodes after six NACT cycles (carboplatin-paclitaxel) and underwent complete or near complete cytoreduction. Patients with partial lymphadenectomy or bulky nodes were excluded. Patients who underwent systematic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy and those who did not undergo lymph node dissection were compared. Progression-free and overall survivals were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Totally, 132 patients with FIGO IIIC-IVB epithelial ovarian carcinoma were surgically treated after NACT. Sixty patients were included (39 and 21 in the lymphadenectomy and nonlymphadenectomy group, respectively); 40% had suspicious lymph nodes before NACT. Patient characteristics, blood transfusion numbers, and complication incidence were similar between the groups. In the lymphadenectomy group, 12 patients (30.8%) had histologically positive lymph nodes and the surgical time was longer (229 vs. 164 min). The median overall survival in the lymphadenectomy and nonlymphadenectomy groups, respectively, was 56.7 (95% CI 43.4-70.1) and 61.2 (21.4-101.0) months (p = 0.934); the corresponding disease-free survival was 8.1 (6.2-10.1) and 8.3 (5.1-11.6) months (p = 0.878). Six patients exclusively presented with lymph node recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic lymphadenectomy after six NACT cycles may have no influence on survival.

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.

Role of Lymphadenectomy During Interval Debulking Surgery Performed After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Objective

The role of lymphadenectomy in interval debulking surgery (IDS) performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced ovarian cancer remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of lymphadenectomy in IDS.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the data of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent NACT followed by IDS.

Results

In 303 patients receiving NACT-IDS, lymphadenectomy was performed in 127 (41.9%) patients. One hundred and sixty-three (53.8%) patients achieved no gross residual disease (NGRD), and 69 (22.8%) had residual disease < 1 cm, whereas 71 (23.4%) had residual disease ≥ 1cm. No significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was observed between the lymphadenectomy group and the no lymphadenectomy group in patients with NGRD, residual disease < 1 cm, and residual disease ≥ 1 cm, respectively. The proportions of pelvic, para-aortic and distant lymph node recurrence were 7.9% (10/127), 4.7% (6/127) and 5.5% (7/127) in the lymphadenectomy group, compared with 5.7% (10/176, P = 0.448), 4.5% (8/176, P = 0.942) and 5.1% (9/176, P = 0.878), respectively, in no lymphadenectomy group. Multivariate analysis identified residual disease ≥ 1 cm [hazard ratios (HR), 4.094; P = 0.008] and elevated CA125 levels after 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 2.883; P = 0.004) were negative predictors for OS.

Conclusion

Lymphadenectomy may have no therapeutic value in patients with advanced ovarian cancer underwent NACT-IDS. Our findings may help to better the therapeutic strategy for advanced ovarian cancer. More clinical trials are warranted to further clarify the real role of lymphadenectomy in IDS.

Assessment of Lymph Node Involvement with PET-CT in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. A FRANCOGYN Group Study

The objective of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) for the assessment of lymph node involvement in advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tubal or peritoneal cancer (EOC). This was a retrospective, bicentric study. We included all patients over 18 years of age with a histological diagnosis of advanced EOC who had undergone PET-CT at the time of diagnosis or prior to cytoreduction surgery with pelvic or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. We included 145 patients with primary advanced EOC. The performance of PET-CT was calculated from the data of 63 patients. The sensitivity of PET-CT for preoperative lymph node evaluation was 26.7%, specificity was 90.9%, PPV was 72.7%, and NPV was 57.7%. The accuracy rate was 60.3%, and the false-negative rate was 34.9%. In the case of primary cytoreduction (n = 16), the sensitivity of PET-CT was 50%, specificity was 87.5%, PPV was 80%, and NPV was 63.6%. The accuracy rate was 68.8%, and the false negative rate was 25%. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 47), the sensitivity of PET-CT was 18.2%, specificity was 92%, PPV was 66.7%, and NPV was 56.1%. The accuracy rate was 57.5%, and the false negative rate was 38.3%. Due to its high specificity, the performance of a preoperative PET-CT scan could contribute to the de-escalation and reduction of lymphadenectomy in the surgical management of advanced EOC in a significant number of patients free of lymph node metastases.

Pattern of recurrence after interval cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary advanced stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of recurrence and factors affecting the same after interval cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in primary stage IIIC and IV A epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicentric study, all patients with FIGO stages III-C and IV-A epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with CRS and HIPEC after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Relevant clinical and demographic data were captured. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence after CRS and HIPEC.

RESULTS

From January 2017 to Jan 2020, 97, consecutive patients of Stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian cancer underwent interval cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median duration of follow up duration was 20 months [1-36months]. 21/97 (21.6%) patients presented with disease recurrence. Visceral recurrences involving the lungs, liver and brain were seen in 8/21 (38%) of cases and comprised the commonest sites. On multivariable analysis, nodal involvement (p = 0.05), selective peritonectomy (p = 0.001) and leaving behind residual disease <0.25 mm (CC1) (p = 0.01) was associated with increased risk of disease recurrence. Extent of peritonectomy (OS,p = 0.56, PFS p = 0.047, Log Rank test) and nodal positivity (OS, p = 0.13,PFS,p = 0.057, Log Rank test) were found to impact progression free survival but had no impact on overall survival.

CONCLUSION

There is a higher incidence of systemic recurrences in patients with Stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian carcinoma after CRS and HIPEC. Extent of peritonectomy and nodal clearance impacts patterns of recurrence and progression free survival.

Clinical Impact of Lymphadenectomy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Available Data

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

Effects of pretreatment radiological and pathological lymph node statuses on prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer who underwent interval debulking surgery with lymphadenectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy

AIM

To analyze whether radiological and pathological lymph node statuses affected prognosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery.

METHODS

In total, 82 patients undergoing interval debulking surgery, including systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, were eligible for this study. We retrospectively analyzed the association among radiological diagnosed retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy by computed tomographic scan before (rLN) and after (yrLN) neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathological lymph node metastasis (pLN) and prognosis. Patient survival distribution was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

There were 36 rLN+ cases (44%); there were no significant differences between rLN+ and rLN- with respect to progression-free survival and overall survival. Progression-free survival and overall survival did not differ between yrLN+ cases and yrLN- cases. Thirty-nine cases (47.5%) were pLN+, and both progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in pLN+ cases than in pLN- cases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). In univariate analysis, FIGO stage, pLN and surgical completion were prognostic factors for overall survival. Moreover, in multivariate analysis, pLN+ was the independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (P = 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 1.911-15.69), and pLN and surgical completion were the only independent prognostic factors for overall survival (P = 0.046, P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Radiological lymph node status may not be a prognostic factor in patients with ovarian cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. Pathological lymph node metastasis affects progression-free survival and overall survival.

Impact of Lymphadenectomy on Survival of Patients with Serous Advanced Ovarian Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A French National Multicenter Study (FRANCOGYN)

Background: The population of interest to this study comprised individuals with advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma who were exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS). Those who had not received systematic lymphadenectomy (SL; Group 1) were compared to those who had received SL (Group 2). Outcome measures included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and surgical complications. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study in nine referral centers of France between January 2000 and June 2017. OS analysis using the multivariate Cox regression model was performed. PFS and surgery-related morbidity were analyzed. Results: Of the 255 patients included, 100 were in Group 1 and 155 in Group 2. Patient majority was, on average, younger and less comorbid, with predominant R0 surgery in Group 2. Dindo–Clavien score was similar between the two groups (p = 0.15). Median OS was 26.8 months in Group 2 and 27.6 months in Group 1. SL was not statistically significant on OS (p = 0.7). Median PFS was 18.3 months in Group 2 and 16.6 months in Group 1. SL had positive impact on PFS (p = 0.005). Conclusions: patients who had received SL (Group 2) had significantly higher PFS regardless of node-positivity status when compared to those who had not received SL (Group 1).

Metastasis to para-aortic lymph nodes cephalad to the renal veins in patients with ovarian cancer

Background

In patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, whether metastasis to para-aortic lymph nodes located cephalad to the renal veins (supra-renal PAN) should be classified as regional lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis remains controversial. This study was a preliminary retrospective evaluation of the pattern of supra-renal PAN metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods

The subjects were 25 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian tube cancer who underwent systematic dissection of the para-aortic nodes, including the supra-renal PAN, and pelvic lymph nodes (PLN). Patient factors, perioperative factors, the number of dissected lymph nodes, and pathological lymph node metastasis were investigated.

Results

Supra-renal PAN metastasis was found in 4/25 patients (16.0%). None of the 14 patients with pT1 or pT2 disease had supra-renal PAN metastasis, while 4/11 patients (36.4%) with pT3 or ypT3 disease had such metastases. None of the patients had isolated supra-renal PAN metastasis, while patients with supra-renal PAN metastasis also had multiple metastases to the infra-renal PAN and PLN.

Conclusions

In patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, supra-renal PAN metastases might be considered to be distant rather than regional metastases. Further studies are needed to better define the clinical significance of supra-renal PAN metastasis.

Prognostic Significance of Systematic Lymphadenectomy in Patients With Optimally Debulked Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The effect of systematic lymphadenectomy (SL) on survival in patients with optimally debulked advanced ovarian cancer remains unclear. We evaluated the therapeutic value of SL in advanced ovarian cancer patients who underwent primary optimal debulking surgery.

Methods: A meta-analysis was carried out using articles retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between patients who underwent SL and those who underwent unsystematic lymphadenectomy (USL).

Results: Seven studies that included 2,425 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included in the meta-analysis. The overall analyses indicated significantly improved OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.84, P < 0.01] but not PFS (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69–1.15, P = 0.38) in patients who underwent SL compared to those who underwent USL. Subgroup analyses based on study type, study quality, total numbers of patients, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage provided similar results. However, subgroup analysis of patients with no residual tumor revealed that SL was not associated with improved OS (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66–1.00, P = 0.05) or PFS (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.91–1.30, P = 0.33).

Conclusions: In patients with optimally debulked advanced ovarian cancer, SL may improve OS but not PFS. However, SL does not provide a survival advantage when macroscopically complete resection of all visible tumors is achieved.

The INTERNATIONAL MISSION study: minimally invasive surgery in ovarian neoplasms after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to investigate the extent, feasibility, and outcomes of minimally invasive surgery at the time of interval debulking surgery in different gynecological cancer centers.

METHODS/MATERIALS

In December 2016, 20 gynecological cancer centers were contacted by e-mail, to participate in the INTERNATIONAL MISSION study. Seven centers confirmed and five were included, with a total of 127 patients diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and minimally invasive interval surgery. Only women with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months from interval surgery or any cancer-related event before 6 months were included in the survival analysis. Baseline characteristics, chemotherapy, and operative data were evaluated. Survival analysis was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS : All patients had optimal cytoreduction at the time of interval surgery: among them, 122 (96.1%) patients had no residual tumor. Median operative time was 225 min (range 60 - 600) and median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range 70 - 1320). Median time to discharge was 2 days (1-33) and estimated median time to start chemotherapy was 20 days (range 15 - 60). Six (4.7%) patients experienced intraoperative complications, with one patient experiencing two serious complications (bowel and bladder injury at the same time). There were six (4.7%) patients with postoperative short-term complications: among them, three patients had severe complications. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 3.9 %. Median follow-up time was 37 months (range 7 - 86): 74 of 127 patients recurred (58.3%) and 31 (24.4%) patients died from disease. Median progression-free survival was 23 months and survival at 5 years was 52 % (95% CI: 35 to 67).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive surgery may be considered for the management of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, when surgery is limited to low-complexity standard cytoreductive procedures.

Impact of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in ovarian cancer - time for paradigm shift?

Ovarian cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm of the genital tract. Staging procedures for ovarian cancer include longitudinal laparotomy, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and infragastric omentectomy as well as systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. In general, the goal of this primary procedure is to achieve the maximum cytoreduction of all abdominal diseases; a residual disease <1 cm defines optimal cytoreduction, however, a maximal effort should be made to remove all gross disease as this offers superior survival outcomes. The role of lymphadenectomy in ovarian cancer has been the focus of gynecological oncologists during recent years. The core issue of the controversy is whether the removal of lymph nodes should be performed only to stage the disease or if the removal itself improves survival. To further comprehend the issue, one must take into account that several studies have shown that systematic lymphadenectomy is associated with a risk of vascular injury, lymph cyst formation, pulmonary embolism and increased post-operative mortality even when performed by surgeons with extensive experience. We present an extensive review of the available literature on the matter, hoping to provide some insight into the true need for such a procedure.

Laparoscopy vs. laparotomy for advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

In the last decade, laparoscopy has been progressively introduced in the management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer (AOC) to evaluate tumor resectability, avoiding an explorative laparotomy, to identify non-responders to submit to second-line chemotherapy and to perform primary or interval minimally invasive debulking surgery in selected patients. This review aims to deeply focus on the differences between laparoscopy and laparotomy in the management of advanced ovarian cancer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The electronic database search provided a total of 80 results. Out of these, 63 results were excluded because considered not relevant to the review, for linguistic reasons or case reports. A total of 17 articles were considered eligible for the review.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Many studies have assessed the value of laparoscopy in predicting the optimal resectability of AOC patients avoiding exploratory laparotomies. More recently, its role in primary and interval cytoreduction has been investigated for selected patients in terms of safety, feasibility and oncological outcomes. Published data are comparable to the standard laparotomic management in terms of oncological outcomes but with improved perioperative and psychological results. The selection of patients is crucial to perform a successful surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, laparoscopy has replaced the primary laparotomic approach in the evaluation of optimal resectability. As far as primary and interval minimally invasive debulking surgery are concerned, instead, most of the works report an overlap of oncological outcomes compared to traditional surgery. The selection of patients is a crucial point to reach a successful minimally invasive surgical treatment, taking into account surgical complexity and surgical adequacy.

Therapeutic value of selective lymphadenectomy in interval debulking surgery for stage IIIc and IV epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The role of selective lymphadenectomy at the time of interval debulking surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the value of selective lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery in patients with radiologic evidence of lymph node metastasis at initial diagnosis that ultimately become negative on imaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis including patients with stage IIIC-IV epithelial ovarian cancer and suspicious pelvic or para-aortic lymph node metastasis by imaging at diagnosis that resolved after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study was conducted from January 1996 to June 2016 with R0 interval debulking surgery. The patients with disease progression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Suspicious metastatic lymph nodes at initial diagnosis by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging were excised by selective lymphadenectomy. Survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression.

RESULTS

There were a total of 330 patients included in the analysis. Selective lymphadenectomy of suspicious nodes (Group 1) was performed in 145 patients. Systematic lymphadenectomy (Group 2) was performed in 118 patients. Sixty-seven patients did not undergo lymphadenectomy (Group 3). There were no significant differences in clinicopathologic features among the groups. Median progression-free survival was 28, 30.5, and 22 months in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (log-rank, p=0.049). No-lymphadenectomy was an independent factor affecting progression-free survival (Cox analysis, HR=1.729, 95% CI 1.213 to 2.464, p=0.002), with no difference between Groups 1 and 2 (Cox analysis, HR=1.097, 95% CI 0.815 to 1.478, p=0.541). Median overall survival was 50, 59, and 57 months in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (Cox analysis, p=0.566). Patients who underwent selective lymphadenectomy had lower 1-year frequencies of lower extremity lymphedema and lymphocysts than those with systematic lymphadenectomy (6.2% vs 33.1%, p<0.001, and 6.2 % vs 27.1%, p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Extent of lymphadenectomy (systematic or selective) had no significant impact on progression-free survival or overall survival. In addition, the risks of lower extremity lymphedema and lymphocysts were lower in patients who underwent selective lymphadenectomy.

[Surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer: Article drafted from the French Guidelines in oncology entitled "Initial management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer" developed by FRANCOGYN, CNGOF, SFOG, GINECO-ARCAGY under the aegis of CNGOF and endorsed by INCa]

Debulking surgery is the key step of advanced stage ovarian cancer treatment with chemotherapy. The quality of surgical resection is the main prognosis factor, thus a complete resection must be achieved (grade A) in an expert center (grade B). Surgery for stage IV is possible and has a benefit in case of complete peritoneal resection (LoE3). Pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomies are recommended in case of clinical or radiological suspicious lymph nodes (grade B). In absence of clinical or radiological suspicious lymph nodes and in case of complete peritoneal resection during initial debulking surgery, lymphadenectomy can be omitted because it won't change nor medical treatment nor overall survival (grade B). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be proposed in case of: impossibility to perform initial complete surgical resection (grade B) ; alteration of general state or co-morbidities or elderly patient (in order to decrease morbidity and increase quality of life) (grade B); stage IV with multiple intra-hepatic or pulmonary metastasis or important ascites with miliary (grade B). In case of stage III or IV ovarian cancer diagnosed on a biopsy during prior laparotomy, a neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery should be preferred (gradeC). In case of palliative surgery or peroperative impossibility to perform a complete resection, no data regarding the type of surgery to perform influencing survival or quality of life is available. Peritoneal carcinosis description before resection and residual disease at the end of the surgery should be reported (size, location and reason of non-extirpability) (grade B). A score of peritoneal carcinosis such as Peritoneal Carcinosis Index (PCI) should be used in order to objectively evaluate the tumoral burden (gradeC). A standardized operative report is recommended (gradeC).

Primary Debulking Surgery Versus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Propensity-matched Analysis

AIMS

To compare the surgical and survival outcomes of patients undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus interval debulking surgery (IDS) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients managed for advanced EOC since 2009 were matched through a propensity score analysis, defined as the probability of a woman having PDS or NACT plus IDS.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 100 propensity-matched women receiving PDS or NACT plus IDS. Groups resulted homogeneous in terms of baseline characteristics and pathologic findings. Patients undergoing PDS had longer operative time (P=0.032) and more blood loss (P=0.011) than the counterpart receiving NACT. No differences were found in terms of residual disease (P=0.11), as well as in terms of hospitalization, intraoperative, and postoperative complications. The mean progression-free survival was 23.0 and 27.7 months (P=0.67), whereas the overall survival (OS) was 44.5 and 43.2 months (P=0.48) for the PDS and NACT plus IDS group, respectively. Residual disease (P<0.0001) was the only independent predictor of progression-free and OS at multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

PDS and NACT plus IDS achieved comparable results in terms of progression-free and OS in patients with advanced EOC.

Does the Number of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Cycles before Interval Debulking Surgery Influence Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with initially inoperable advanced ovarian cancer, tubal carcinoma, or primary peritoneal carcinoma of stages III or IV undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cytoreductive surgery, according to the number of cycles performed.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in three main oncology centres in the east of France, reviewing the charts of all patients who underwent NAC between January 1, 1998 and October 31, 2012. We performed an OS analysis using multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders. We also analysed progression-free survival (PFS) as well as chemotherapy- and surgery-related morbidity.

RESULTS

Of the 204 patients included, 75 (36.8%) underwent ≤4 NAC cycles and 129 (63.2%) ≥5 NAC cycles. Characteristic data were similar in the two groups. Five-year OS was 35.0 and 25.8%, respectively. This difference was non-significant [HR = 1.06 (0.70-1.59), p = 0.79]. We also found no differences in PFS or morbidity between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of NAC cycles does not seem to play a role in the OS of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Further evidence and prospective data are needed to assess the value of a high/low number of NAC cycles among these patients.

Minimally invasive interval debulking surgery in ovarian neoplasm (MISSION trial-NCT02324595): a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy has acquired an increasing role in the management of ovarian cancer. Laparoscopic cytoreduction could represent a new frontier for selected patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess feasibility and early complication rate of minimally invasive (MI) interval debulking surgery (IDS) in stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients after NACT.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a phase II multicentric study in advanced EOC cases with clinical complete response after NACT, according to Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup and Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria. Institutional review board approval was obtained and all patients signed written informed consent to be included in the protocol. The study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02324595) and was named "MISSION" trial. For patients meeting inclusion criteria, surgical procedures started with diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm preoperative findings and assess surgical complexity. MI-IDS included hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, appendectomy, omentectomy, peritonectomy, and bowel resection. Pelvic and/or aortic lymphadenectomy was not considered as standard procedure in these cases. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, time to restart chemotherapy, survival rate, and quality of life data were registered.

RESULTS

From December 2013 through February 2015, of 184 advanced EOC patients considered eligible for IDS, 52 (28.2%) met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. For 22 (12%) of them, standard laparotomic approach was preferred because of intraoperative surgeon evaluation. Thirty (16.3%) patients received the planned treatment of MI-IDS. Median age was 61 (range 39-81) years and median body mass index was 24 (range 20-31) kg/m(2). Median numbers of NACT cycles was 4 (range 3-7). Median operative time was 285 (range 124-418) minutes and median estimated blood loss was 100 (range 50-200) mL. Surgical procedures included 28 (93.3%) hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, 29 (96.6%) omentectomy, 2 (6.6%) appendectomy, 11 (36.6%) regional peritonectomy, and 1 (3.4%) bowel resection. A residual tumor of 0 cm was reached in 29 (96.6%) patients and 0.5 cm in only 1 (3.4%) case. The vast majority of patients were discharged on postoperative day 2 (range 2-3). No early postoperative complications were registered. Median time to restart chemotherapy was 20 (10-30) days and all patients successfully completed the cycles. Histological findings showed 3 (10%) complete response, 9 (30%) microscopic residual disease, and 18 (60%) evidence of macroscopic residual disease. With a median follow-up of 10.5 month, 5 peritoneal and 2 lymph nodal recurrences were observed. Psychometric test revealed moderate discomfort in the vast majority of patients (66.7%). All patients are still alive.

CONCLUSION

Invasive-IDS in patients with clinically complete response to NACT seems to be feasible and safe in terms of perioperative outcomes, psycho-oncological impact, and survival rate. The equivalence between MI surgery and laparotomy needs to be confirmed with a longer follow-up and a larger number of patients.

Clinical significance of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery in advanced ovarian cancer patients

Objective

To investigate the clinical significance of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery (IDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 124 advanced EOC patients and analyzed the details of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), IDS, postoperative treatment, and prognoses.

Results

Following IDS, 98 patients had no gross residual disease (NGRD), 15 had residual disease sized <1 cm (optimal), and 11 had residual disease sized ≥1 cm (suboptimal). Two-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 88.8% and 39.8% in the NGRD group, 40.0% and 13.3% in the optimal group (p<0.001 vs. NGRD for both), and 36.3% and 0% in the suboptimal group, respectively. Five-year OS and 2-year PFS rates were 62% and 56.1% in the lymph node-negative (LN-) group and 26.2% and 24.5% in the lymph node-positive (LN+) group (p=0.0033 and p=0.0024 vs. LN-, respectively). Furthermore, survival in the LN+ group, despite surgical removal of positive nodes, was the same as that in the unknown LN status group, in which lymphadenectomy was not performed (p=0.616 and p=0.895, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified gross residual tumor during IDS (hazard ratio, 3.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.31 to 10.33 vs. NGRD) as the only independent predictor of poor OS.

Conclusion

NGRD after IDS improved prognosis in advanced EOC patients treated with NACT-IDS. However, while systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during IDS may predict outcome, it does not confer therapeutic benefits.

Does debulking of enlarged positive lymph nodes improve survival in different gynaecological cancers?

Lymph-node-positive gynaecological cancers remain a pharmacotherapeutic challenge, and patients with lymph-node-positive gynaecological cancers have poor survival. The purpose of this review is to determine whether a survival advantage arises from surgical debulking of enlarged positive lymph nodes in different types of gynaecological cancers. Information from studies published on the survival benefits from debulking lymph nodes in gynaecological cancers was investigated. Pertaining to therapeutic lymphadenectomy, survival benefit can be analysed in two ways, direct survival benefit following therapeutic lymphadenectomy of bulky positive metastatic lymph nodes and indirect survival benefit, which results after a sequela of systematic lymphadenectomy, proper, accurate staging of disease and stage migration and tailor-made adjuvant treatment. The direct hypothesis of therapeutic lymphadenectomy and survival benefit has been prospected in cervical cancers and vulval cancers and in post-chemotherapy residual paraarotic nodal mass in germ cell ovarian cancer. The indirect survival benefit of therapeutic paraarotic lymphadenectomy in high-risk endometrial cancers and advanced epithelial ovarian cancers needs to be tested in randomized controlled trials. More randomized controlled trials are required to investigate this research question. Further, indirect benefit due to tailor-made adjuvant treatment, secondary to accurate staging achieved as a sequela of systematic lymphadenectomy, needs to be analysed in future trials.

Recurrence Patterns of Advanced Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneal Cancers After Complete Cytoreduction During Interval Debulking Surgery

Objectives

Similar to primary debulking surgery, complete resection of all macroscopic diseases during interval debulking surgery (IDS) is the primary objective while using neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by IDS for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. However, most patients develop recurrent disease even after complete cytoreduction during IDS. This study aims to identify recurrence patterns of the ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers in patients who underwent complete cytoreduction during IDS.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data of patients with stage III or IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers who were treated at our hospital from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011.

Results

In this study, 105 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by IDS and achieved complete cytoreduction. The median follow-up period was 42.1 months. Recurrence was documented in 70 patients (66.7%), and 35 (33.3%) showed no evidence of disease. Peritoneal dissemination was the most common recurrence (60.0%) observed. In multivariate analysis, positive peritoneal cytology (P = 0.0003) and elevated pre-IDS serum CA125 levels (P = 0.046) were independent risk factors for recurrence.

Conclusions

After complete cytoreduction during IDS in patients with stage III or IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers, positive peritoneal cytology at IDS and elevated pre-IDS CA125 levels are associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence. Positive peritoneal cytology during IDS is a particularly strong predictive factor for poor outcomes in these patients.