Oestrogen receptor status determines oncological benefits of laparoscopic oophorectomy

A meta-analysis of over 3000 patients in 1992 demonstrated that ovarian ablation in women less than 50 years of age produces a highly significant reduction in both disease recurrence and mortality. Laparoscopic ovarian ablation has been offered to premenopausal women at the University College Hospital in Galway for 12 years. A review of 136 cases with follow-up and examination of disease-free survival and mortality is presented. The influence of oestrogen receptor status on response and long-term outcome is examined. Premenopausal women over the age of 40 years were offered bilateral laparoscopic oophorectomy. This procedure was well tolerated with no serious morbidity. A significant difference in disease-free survival and reduction in mortality was observed in the oestrogen receptor positive group when compared with women with oestrogen receptor negative disease. No significant difference in disease-free survival or mortality was observed between the oestrogen receptor negative group and a comparable control group. These results have influenced our patient selection for this adjuvant treatment. A controlled prospective trial is now necessary to examine the role of laparoscopic oophorectomy in oestrogen receptor negative, premenopausal women with breast cancer.