Conservative treatment of ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, ovarian function preservation, reproductive ability, and the emotional attitude after a conservative surgery for ovarian cancer.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study of women conservatively treated for primary ovarian cancer between January 2000 and December 2010 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Patient’s charts were reviewed for pathology, stage, requirement of adjuvant chemotherapy, and recurrent, as well as menstrual history, and pregnancy after treatment. During follow up the patients were asked 3 questions about their emotional attitude toward their disease.

RESULTS: There were 39 patients identified (mean age 22 years). Thirty-one (80%) patients were presented with stage I and 20 (52%) were Germ cell tumor. Fifteen (39%) patients received initial chemotherapy after primary surgery. Three (8%) patients had recurrent. Thirty-eight (98%) patients retuned to a regular menstruation after treatment. Eight patients (20%) had a normal pregnancy. Of the respondents to the given questions, 10 (44%) patients claimed that their disease did not have any impact on their desire to have children and 12 patients (52%) feared that their ovarian disease could have damage in their reproductive potential. Only 9 patients (39%) had no concerned about the effect of the treatment they received on the offspring.

CONCLUSION: Fertility sparing surgery in ovarian cancer appears to be safe, and a practical treatment option in selected cases with ovarian cancer diagnosis. Most patients can have ovarian preservation after treatment and should not be discouraged from getting pregnant.