Lymphocele and ovarian cancer: risk factors and impact on survival.
BACKGROUND
We describe the incidence, impact on survival, and the risk factors for symptomatic lymphoceles in patients with ovarian cancer.


METHODS
This retrospective study includes patients with ovarian cancer who had complete cytoreductive surgery and para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy performed in our institute from 2005 to 2011. Patients were classified into two groups: patients with symptomatic lymphoceles and a control group.


RESULTS
During the study period, 194 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer underwent cytoreductive surgery and a lymphadenectomy without macroscopic residual disease. Fifty-four patients had symptomatic lymphoceles (28%). In the multivariate analysis, only supraradical surgery was significantly and independently associated with the risk of symptomatic lymphoceles occurring postoperatively. Median follow-up was 24.8 months (range, 1-74 months). Survival rates were not significantly different between the symptomatic lymphocele group and the control group. Two-year disease-free survival rates were 54% for the lymphocele group and 48% for the control group. Two-year overall survival rates were 90% for the lymphocele group and 88% for the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptomatic lymphoceles occur frequently after cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer. Supraradical surgery is an independent risk factor. The occurrence of symptomatic lymphoceles does not decrease survival. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to reduce the risk of lymphoceles in such patients.
Service de Chirurgie, Institut Gustave Roussy, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif Cedex, France.
Tristan
T
Gauthier
Catherine
C
Uzan
Delphine
D
Lefeuvre
Aminata
A
Kane
Geoffroy
G
Canlorbe
Fredéric
F
Deschamps
Catherine
C
Lhomme
Patricia
P
Pautier
Philippe
P
Morice
Sébastien
S
Gouy
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008210:Lymphocele / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult