Secondary cytoreductive surgery for patients with relapsed epithelial ovarian carcinoma: Who benefits?

Abstract

SCR was found to be safe for patients with relapsed EOC who achieved a clinical complete remission that lasted > or = 3 months, with resectability similar to that of primary debulking surgery. Optimal surgical outcomes were achieved easily in patients who apparently had solitary tumor sites, with bowel resection making it possible to remove bulky tumors that involved the intestine. A survival benefit was provided by optimal SCR, particularly when surgery was supported by multiple courses of salvage chemotherapy.