The management of borderline tumours of the ovary.
OBJECTIVE
The treatment of borderline ovarian tumours has been similar to that for their invasive counterparts for a long time. However, in view of the good prognosis for borderline ovarian tumours, their occurrence in a younger age group and the development of less invasive techniques, the question can be asked as to whether a more conservative treatment is warranted.


RESULTS
Recent articles discuss the mode of surgery (laparotomy or laparoscopy), the possibility of fertility-sparing surgery, the need for restaging procedures and adjuvant therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultimate goal in treating patients with borderline ovarian cancer is defining those patients with bad prognostic factors and risk for recurrence and who consequently require more aggressive therapy. A proper staging procedure is crucial to estimate the risk. Translational research might help identify borderline tumours with poor prognosis. Fertility-sparing surgery is often a good option in young patients with Fédération International de Gynécologie et Obstétrie (FIGO) stage I disease or in selected cases with noninvasive implants, since long-term survival does not seem to be negatively influenced by conservative surgery.
Cadron
Isabelle
I
Division of Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Amant
Frederic
F
Van Gorp
Toon
T
Neven
Patrick
P
Leunen
Karin
K
Vergote
Ignace
I
D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis