Outcome and reproductive function after conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors

To study reproductive function and disease outcome in women with borderline ovarian tumors who were treated with conservative surgery.

Patients with borderline ovarian tumors were identified from institutional databases. Patients were eligible if they had pathologically confirmed borderline ovarian tumors, no prior sterilization, no history of radiation therapy, retained their uterus and ovarian tissue, and were younger than age 45. Information was acquired by retrospective medical record review and patient interview.

Forty-three patients met the eligibility criteria. The median age was 25 years, with a range of 15-39 years. Twenty-six patients had serous tumors, and 17 had mucinous tumors. Fifteen had stage I disease, three had stage III, and 25 were unstaged. Follow-up was available for all patients (median, 5.7 years). Twenty-nine remained disease-free, and 14 developed a new primary lesion/recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 39.3 months. Recurrence was more frequent in patients treated with ovarian cystectomy than in those treated with oophorectomy alone (58% compared with 23%) (P <.04). After treatment, 29 of 36 patients (81%) retained normal menstrual cycles, and 12 of 24 patients attempting pregnancy conceived 25 pregnancies. Most patients were highly satisfied with conservative surgery.

Conservative surgery remains a therapeutic option in selected patients with borderline ovarian tumors. Although the rate of new lesion/recurrence is relatively high, especially in those treated with ovarian cystectomy, mortality from cancer remains low. Many patients who desire pregnancy are able to conceive and deliver healthy offspring after conservative surgery.