Recurrent ovarian carcinoma of low malignant potential: The role of secondary surgical cytoreduction and the prognosis in Chinese patients

Background and Objectives: The study of pathology and prognosis for patients with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) has been well documented. The treatment, particularly the secondary surgery, for recurrent disease is less documented. This study was conducted to investigate the role of secondary surgical cytoreduction for recurrent ovarian carcinoma of LMP. Methods: Patients with ovarian carcinoma of LMP at advanced stages experiencing disease recurrence and treated by secondary surgical cytoreduction at Fudan University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Sixteen patients with recurrent serous and mucinous ovarian LMP tumors who underwent secondary surgical cytoreduction were entered in this study. The median age was 46.5 years. The 5-year survival in those with residual disease <1 cm after secondary surgical cytoreduction was 83%, compared to 26% in those with residual disease >1 cm (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis suggested that extent of recurrent disease (solitary vs. multiple, relative risk [RR] =2.69, P < 0.01), and residual disease after secondary surgical cytoreduction (≤1 cm vs. >1 cm, RR = 2.56, P < 0.01) were determinants of survival. Conclusions: For recurrent ovarian carcinomas of low malignant potential, prolonged survival was observed in patients with solitary recurrent disease and optimal secondary surgical outcome.