Clinical impact of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for pT1 and pT2 ovarian cancer: a retrospective survey by the Sankai Gynecology Study Group. Oshita T, Itamochi H, Nishimura R, Numa F, Takehara K, Hiura M, Tanimoto H, Noma J, Hayase R, Murakami A, Fujimoto H, Kanamori Y, Kitada F, Shitsukawa K, Nagaji M, Minagawa Y, Fujiwara M, Kigawa J. Source Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miyoshi Central Hospital, 531 Higashisakeyamachi, Miyoshi, Hiroshima, 728-8502, Japan, toshita@hicat.ne.jp. Abstract BACKGROUND: The therapeutic value of systematic lymphadenectomy for early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is controversial. This study evaluates the survival impact and adverse events of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with pT1 and pT2 EOC. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was performed using data from patients with pT1 and pT2 EOC at multi-institutions belonging to the Sankai Gynecologic Study Group (SGSG). We selected patients who had undergone systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (Group LA) (n = 284) and patients who had not undergone lymph node resection (Group no-LA) (n = 138). Outcomes for patients and peri-operative adverse events were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The median operation time was significantly longer in Group LA (288 min) than in Group no-LA (128 min) (P < 0.0001). Total blood loss was significantly higher in Group LA, 43.7 % of patients receiving blood transfusions. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups for progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). However, for patients with pT2, PFS was significantly longer in Group LA than in Group no-LA (P = 0.0150). Lymph node metastases were detected in 23 cases (8.1 %) and these patients had significantly shorter PFS than those without metastasis (P = 0.0409). The outcome for patients who underwent chemotherapy after surgery was significantly improved in the Group no-LA, but no improvement was observed in Group LA. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic lymphadenectomy may improve outcomes only in pT2 EOC patients with acceptable peri-operative events. Furthermore, accurate surgical staging may avoid unnecessary adjuvant chemotherapy in selected early-stage cases.

Clinical impact of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for pT1 and pT2 ovarian cancer: a retrospective survey by the Sankai Gynecology Study Group.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The therapeutic value of systematic lymphadenectomy for early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is controversial. This study evaluates the survival impact and adverse events of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with pT1 and pT2 EOC.

METHODS:

A retrospective investigation was performed using data from patients with pT1 and pT2 EOC at multi-institutions belonging to the Sankai Gynecologic Study Group (SGSG). We selected patients who had undergone systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (Group LA) (n = 284) and patients who had not undergone lymph node resection (Group no-LA) (n = 138). Outcomes for patients and peri-operative adverse events were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:

The median operation time was significantly longer in Group LA (288 min) than in Group no-LA (128 min) (P < 0.0001). Total blood loss was significantly higher in Group LA, 43.7 % of patients receiving blood transfusions. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups for progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). However, for patients with pT2, PFS was significantly longer in Group LA than in Group no-LA (P = 0.0150). Lymph node metastases were detected in 23 cases (8.1 %) and these patients had significantly shorter PFS than those without metastasis (P = 0.0409). The outcome for patients who underwent chemotherapy after surgery was significantly improved in the Group no-LA, but no improvement was observed in Group LA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Systematic lymphadenectomy may improve outcomes only in pT2 EOC patients with acceptable peri-operative events. Furthermore, accurate surgical staging may avoid unnecessary adjuvant chemotherapy in selected early-stage cases.