title: Splenectomy during secondary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer disease recurrence: surgical and survival data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ovarian cancer disease recurs predominantly in the abdomen, with the spleen usually involved as part of a vast spread of upper-abdominal disease or, less frequently, as an isolated site of disease recurrence. Very few reports are available in the literature on the outcome of patients subjected to splenectomy during secondary cytoreduction. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors and to review surgical and clinical data in order to identify those patients who would benefit the most from splenectomy during secondary cytoreduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent splenectomy as part of secondary cytoreduction. Surgical and survival data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four patients were identified. Multiple site disease recurrence was observed in 15 patients. The spleen was involved at the hilus in 12 patients; surface and intraparenchymal metastases were equally present. Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in all patients. At a median follow-up of 30 months, median progression-free and overall survival from the time of secondary surgery were 34 and 56 months, respectively. Overall survival was significantly correlated to residual disease at secondary surgery, disease-free survival, consolidation chemotherapy, and type of adjuvant therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Splenectomy as part of secondary cytoreduction is a feasible and safe procedure. Secondary cytoreduction in selected groups of patients is confirmed to be associated with high long-term survival rates even when aggressive surgery of the upper abdomen is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome La Sapienza, V.le Regina Elena, 324, 001161, Rome, Italy. natalina.manci@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Natalina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manci
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muzii
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calcagno
authors.forename: Sagit Arbel
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alon
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pernice
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Angioli
authors.forename: Pierluigi Bendetti
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Panici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome