Tertiary cytoreduction for recurrent ovarian carcinoma: An updated and expanded analysis

We sought to describe clinicopathologic and surgical factors associated with oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing tertiary cytoreduction and to present a clinical model to identify patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) who may benefit most from tertiary cytoreduction.

We retrospectively identified patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who underwent tertiary cytoreduction at our institution from 1/1/1990-1/1/2019. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival and compared using the log-rank test. Cox-proportional hazards regression was used to detect variables associated with survival.

Of 114 patients who met inclusion criteria, 79 (69.2%) had high-grade serous tumors. Of patients with available genetic testing (n = 66), 22 (33%) harbored germline or somatic BRCA mutations. Fifty-eight women (50.9%) died of disease. Complete gross resection (CGR) at tertiary cytoreduction, treatment-free interval (TFI), and platinum sensitivity were all significantly associated with disease-specific survival (DSS) and maintained significance on multivariate analysis (HR 3.71, 95% CI: 1.59-8.70; HR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85; and HR 2.94, 95% CI: 1.22-7.07, respectively). Postoperative treatment was not associated with a survival difference. Patients with HGSOC and a single site of recurrence who were ≥2 years from secondary cytoreduction had the longest survival after tertiary cytoreduction (median DSS, 79.5 months).

Proper patient selection for tertiary cytoreduction is essential. Those who achieve CGR likely derive the greatest benefit from tertiary surgery. Platinum sensitivity and prolonged TFI are also associated with improved DSS. Patients with HGSOC and single-site recurrence who were ≥2 years out from secondary cytoreduction had the longest DSS.