Prospective randomized trials on cytoreduction in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer remains the main cause of death from gynaecological malignancy in England and Wales. Since the reports by Griffiths et al. in the 1970s that optimal cytoreduction to less than or equal to 1.5 cm is associated with an increase in survival there has been a gradual trend towards more radical surgery aimed at maximal tumour reduction. Since these first reports many others have made similar observations, so that now maximal surgical endeavour aimed at cytoreduction is almost standard practice. However, the majority of these reports are based on retrospective analysis, small numbers, poor standardization of treatment and other methodological inconsistencies. To date, no prospective randomized trials have been completed to confirm Griffiths's findings. The authors propose the case for a randomized trial before accepting a new and potentially morbid procedure as standard practice.