Laparoscopic management of early ovarian and fallopian tube cancers: surgical and survival outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of laparoscopy for staging of early ovarian cancers.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series conducted at the University Hospital with 36 patients who had presumed early-stage adnexal cancers. Laparoscopic staging/restaging was performed.

RESULTS

Cases included 20 invasive epithelial tumors, 11 borderline tumors, and 5 nonepithelial tumors. Mean number of peritoneal biopsies, paraaortic nodes, and pelvic nodes were 6, 12.23, and 14.84, respectively. Eighty-three percent of the patients had laparoscopic omentectomy. On final pathology, 7 patients were upstaged. Postoperative complications included 1 small bowel obstruction, 2 pelvic lymphoceles, and 1 lymphocele cyst. Mean duration of follow-up is 55.9 months. Three patients had recurrences. All patients are alive without evidence of the disease.

CONCLUSION

This represents 1 of the largest series and longest follow-ups of laparoscopic staging for early-stage adnexal tumors. Laparoscopic staging of these cancers appears to be feasible and comprehensive without compromising survival when performed by gynecologic oncologists experienced with advanced laparoscopy.