Outcome of immediate re-operation or interval debulking after chemotherapy at a gynecologic oncology center after initially incomplete cytoreduction of advanced ovarian cancer

BackgroundPrognosis in advanced ovarian cancer is largely determined by completeness of tumor resection achieved during primary surgery. Incomplete initial debulking occurs frequently in non-specialized centers and there is an ongoing discussion about the best time for re-surgery after referral to tertiary centers.MethodsPatients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (FIGO IIIB–IV) admitted between 1999 and 2007 who had primary incomplete surgery including those with initiated chemotherapy at an outside institution were included. Surgical results, morbidity and prognosis were evaluated in patients with immediate re-operation before chemotherapy and those with interval debulking.Results48 eligible patients were identified in our tumor registry. Self-referral by patient was the most frequent mode of admission (n = 21, 43.8%). 22 patients (45.8%) underwent immediate re-surgery and 26 patients (54.2%) had an interval debulking after chemotherapy. In 12 patients (54.5%), macroscopically complete tumor removal could be achieved by immediate re-operation and in 17 patients (65.4%) after chemotherapy. Major complications were observed more frequently in patients with interval debulking (26.9 vs. 9.1%, p = 0.324). Median overall survival time was 53 and 34 months (p = 0.110) after immediate and delayed re-operation, respectively.ConclusionsUpfront re-operation before start of chemotherapy is feasible and successful in an expertise referral center in more than half of patients with incomplete primary surgery elsewhere. Complete resection even after initial incomplete debulking could improve outcome. Therefore, referral to expertise centers in those patients should be considered. Progression-free survival and overall survival showed a non-significant trend and complication rate is a remarkable advantage in favor of upfront re-operation.

► Direct re-operation is successful in > 50% of patients with incomplete primary surgery.
► Significantly lower major post-operative rate in direct re-operation group