Prognostic influence  of delays between exploratory and definitive laparotomy in the treatment of malignant ovarian tumors.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether a delay between a preliminary exploratory laparotomy and a definitive staging laparotomy and interval chemotherapy between the two operations affected the prognosis of ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Of 504 patients with malignant tumors of the ovary who were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1980 and 1993, there were 24 who had a delayed definitive staging laparotomy.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients did not have chemotherapy between their two operations. After definitive laparotomy, 13 patients (54.2%) were free of disease and 11 patients had residual disease (45.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The value of chemotherapy between preliminary and definitive laparotomy in halting tumor growth was not demonstrated by the results of our analysis.
Lehner
R
R
Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center,  Denver 80262, USA. Rainer.Lehner@akh-wien.ac.at
Szabo
S
S
Goharkhy
N
N
Jirecek
S
S
Tringler
B
B
Sevelda
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents