Is There a Role for Tertiary (TCR) and Quaternary (QCR) Cytoreduction in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer?

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of tertiary and quaternary cytoreduction in recurrent ovarian cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2014, 53 patients were submitted to cytoreductive surgery for second and third ovarian cancer recurrence at our Unit. Results: Median age at first diagnosis was 48 years (range= 20-69). Forty-six patients (86.8%) underwent tertiary cytoreduction. At the time of surgery, isolated and diffuse disease was observed in 48 (90.6%) and 5 (9.4%) patients, respectively. Complete and optimal cytoreduction was obtained in 41 (77.5%) and in 1 (1.9%) patients, respectively. We did not observe any statistically significant survival differences according to residual tumor. Patients with TFI > 12 months showed longer PFS (38 vs. 7 months, p 12 months showing a single-site recurrence disease, in which complete cytoreduction is achievable. Further studies are required to better-define the role of tertiary and quaternary cytoreduction in recurrent ovarian cancer patients