How to follow up advanced-stage borderline tumours? Mode of diagnosis of recurrence in a large series stage II-III serous borderline tumours of the ov

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe how recurrences were diagnosed in the largest series of patients treated for an advanced-stage serous borderline ovarian tumour.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1973 to 2006, 45 patients with a serous borderline tumour and peritoneal implants relapsed among 162 patients with a follow-up exceeding 1 year. Data concerning recurrences and the mode of diagnosis were reviewed.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ultrasound is the most relevant follow-up procedure in this context. Nevertheless, the blood CA 125 test is of particular interest for detecting invasive recurrent disease, which is the most crucial event.