Surgery in ovarian cancer
J. A. Wijnen and N. B. Rosenshein
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of the cancers of the female
genital tract. The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are either
nonexistent or nonspecific. Women who are to undergo exploratory laparotomy
without a definite diagnosis should have ovarian cancer considered as part
of the differential diagnosis. Therefore, it is important that each surgeon
know the current concepts of surgery for ovarian cancer. Documenting true
extent of disease in those cases with limited ovarian cancer prevents the
need for reexploration before adjuvant therapy. In those cases of
disseminated disease, an attempt at tumor reduction should be undertaken,
as reduction of tumor aggregates to less than 1.6 cm in greatest diameter
improves prognosis. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for ovarian cancer.
Optimal initial surgery prevents the need for reexploration.
