Recurrence after negative second-look laparotomy for ovarian cancer: analysis of risk factors

To determine the long-term rate of recurrence and define risk factors for recurrence, we have analyzed clinical information on 83 patients followed up for a minimum of 4 years (median, 69 months) after negative second-look laparotomy. Overall, 21 of 83 patients (25.3%) had a recurrence. Median interval to recurrence was 14 months. Stage, grade, and type of chemotherapy were significantly related to risk of recurrence. In patients with stage I disease only one of 27 (3.7%) had a recurrence. Patients with stage I disease were not included in further analysis of risk factors. In stages II, III, and IV, 20 of 56 patients (35.7%) had a recurrence. Recurrence rates by grade (excluding stage I) are as follows: grade 1, three of 21 (14.3%); grade 2, six of 17 (35.5%), and grade 3, 11 of 17 (64.7%). Platinum-treated patients in stages II, III, and IV had a 50% (12/24) recurrence rate compared with 25% in nonplatinum-treated patients (8/32) (p = 0.05). Differences in disease-free survival between platinum- and nonplatinum-treated patients were significant at the p = 0.02 level. When treated with platinum-based regimens, more patients will achieve complete clinical remission and subsequently negative second-look laparotomy. However, the recurrence rate in these patients is considerably higher than that in patients treated for longer durations with nonplatinum regimens.