Cytoreduction in ovarian cancer: achievability and results

A series of 210 consecutive operations for ovarian cancer performed by the author over a five-year period were analysed in order to assess the ability to perform adequate cytoreduction. Over 63% of the patients had Stage III or IV disease. Bowel resection was necessary in 50 cases, and the surgery was generally well tolerated. Debulking was assessed as a percentage of tumour volume reduction and also by the size of residual tumour after operation. Over 90% tumour volume reduction was accomplished in 82.7% of all cases (75% of Stage III cases), and optimal cytoreduction of nodules to less than or equal to 1.5 cm was achieved in 70.8% of cases (60% of Stage III cases). Survival analysis confirmed the importance of cytoreduction in the management of this disease.