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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Tubal Cytology of the Fallopian Tube as a Promising Tool for Ovarian Cancer Early Detection
Published on: July 25, 2017
Beyond tertiary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal
K K Shih1, D S Chi, R R Barakat
1Gynecology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Background:
Primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary surgical cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian (EOC), fallopian tube (FTC), or primary peritoneal (PPC) cancer appears to be associated with a survival benefit. The objective of this study was to assess if cytoreduction of recurrences after tertiary cytoreduction offers any potential benefit in these patients.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC who underwent additional cytoreductive procedures after a prior tertiary cytoreduction (quaternary cytoreduction) at our institution between 1991 and 2008. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated from the time of quaternary cytoreduction to last follow-up. Univariate analyses were used to analyze outcomes and to identify potential prognostic factors.
Results:
A total of 15 patients were identified, of which 7 (47%) have died of disease. All patients had undergone prior optimal secondary and tertiary surgical cytoreductive procedures. The size of residual disease varied from 0 (in 10 cases/67%) to >1 cm (in 2 cases, 13%). Residual disease (
Conclusions:
Cytoreductive surgery beyond tertiary cytoreduction may be a reasonable option in highly select patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, especially in the setting of a single site of recurrent disease.
