Lymphocele and ovarian cancer: risk factors and impact on survival

We describe the incidence, impact on survival, and the risk factors for symptomatic lymphoceles in patients with ovarian cancer.

This retrospective study includes patients with ovarian cancer who had complete cytoreductive surgery and para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy performed in our institute from 2005 to 2011. Patients were classified into two groups: patients with symptomatic lymphoceles and a control group.

During the study period, 194 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer underwent cytoreductive surgery and a lymphadenectomy without macroscopic residual disease. Fifty-four patients had symptomatic lymphoceles (28%). In the multivariate analysis, only supraradical surgery was significantly and independently associated with the risk of symptomatic lymphoceles occurring postoperatively. Median follow-up was 24.8 months (range, 1-74 months). Survival rates were not significantly different between the symptomatic lymphocele group and the control group. Two-year disease-free survival rates were 54% for the lymphocele group and 48% for the control group. Two-year overall survival rates were 90% for the lymphocele group and 88% for the control group.

Symptomatic lymphoceles occur frequently after cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer. Supraradical surgery is an independent risk factor. The occurrence of symptomatic lymphoceles does not decrease survival. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to reduce the risk of lymphoceles in such patients.