[Significance of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy at second-look laparotomy for ovarian cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the timing and role of systemic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer.


METHODS
From Jan. 1987 to Feb. 1994, 50 patients with ovarian cancer, who underwent retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy on second-look laparotomy (SLL), were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
The median age was 49 years. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years were 72% and 62%, respectively. Twenty of 50 (40%) women were found SLL(+), and the rates of positive SLL were related to International Federation of Gynecology Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, with 16% in stage I and II, 64% in stage III and IV (P < 0.01). Sixteen (32%) women were found to have retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastases at SLL, with 0% (0/15), 20% (2/10), 54% (13/24), 1/1 in stage I, II, III, IV respectively. In patients with SLL(+), 4 patients with sole disease in the pelvis, and 6 (12%) women only with micro-metastases of retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Fifteen patients with stage I ovarian cancer were all SLL(-), and SLL(-) were in 6 (60%) patients with stage II disease and 11 (38%) in stage III. There is no disease recurrence in patients with negative SLL till the data censored.


CONCLUSIONS
Timing of systemic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy at SLL is rational, and may aid in reducing disease recurrence of negative SLL and improving five-year survival rate in patients with ovarian cancer, especially in those with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Zhang
Zhi-yi
ZY
Department of Gynecological Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Zang
Rong-yu
RY
Tang
Mei-qin
MQ
Chen
Jie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D024162:Second-Look Surgery