Surgical management of ovarian cancer

Although several surgical approaches to the diagnosis and management of epithelial ovarian cancer are now standard, surprisingly few prospective data exist to support many of these procedures. However, retrospective data have accumulated over the past decade, much of it very recent, which allow clinicians to make informed decisions regarding most of the commonly performed procedures. This review is an attempt to critically evaluate the best available data regarding the following procedures: primary surgical staging, primary cytoreductive surgery, second look laparotomy and secondary cytoreductive surgery, and palliative surgery for relief of bowel obstruction. We conclude that there is evidence to support the continued use of primary surgical staging and primary cytoreductive surgery. However, data in support of second look laparotomy and secondary cytoreductive surgery are lacking, and we recommend that these procedures not be performed on a routine basis. Finally, we conclude that palliative surgery is hazardous at best and results in questionable benefits for most patients.