abstract: The spread pattern of right and left epithelial ovarian cancers

OBJECTIVE: No attention has been paid in the past to the spread pattern of right and left epithelial carcinomas of the ovaries. We aimed to investigate the incidence, spread pattern and distribution of lymph node metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), comparing right versus left EOC of any stage, where the contralateral ovary is apparently and histologically tumor-free.

Prevalence of lymph node metastasis in primary mucinous carcinoma of the ovary

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To estimate the prevalence of lymph node involvement in women with primary mucinous ovarian carcinomas.
METHODS:: A retrospective study was performed of patients with primary mucinous ovarian carcinomas evaluated at a single institution between 1985 and 2007. A gynecologic oncology pathologist evaluated all cases. Patients with tumors of low malignant potential and mucinous carcinomas metastatic to the ovary from other primary sites were excluded.
RESULTS:: Patients with primary mucinous ovarian carcinomas were identified (n=107). All patients underwent primary surgery. At time of surgery, 93 patients (87%) had tumors that grossly appeared to be confined to the ovary, and 14 patients (13%) had evidence of extraovarian disease. Of the 93 patients with tumors that grossly appeared to be confined to the ovary at surgical exploration, 51 (55%) underwent lymphadenectomy (n=27 pelvic and paraaortic, n=19 pelvic only, n=5 paraaortic only). Of these 51 patients, none had metastatic disease to the pelvic or paraaortic lymph nodes. In addition, there were no significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival rates between the patients who underwent lymphadenectomy and those who did not.
CONCLUSION:: There were no cases of isolated lymph node metastases among women with primary mucinous carcinoma grossly confined to the ovary, suggesting that routine lymphadenectomy may be omitted in these patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: III.
(link to 'levels of evidence': http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/levels-evidence-adult-treatment

da Vinci (Standard) / Robotic Aortic Lymph Node Dissection

Note: video (graphic)

Lymph Node Metastasis in Grossly Apparent Stages I and II Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Conclusions: Based on diagnostic value, the result suggests that the role of lymphadenectomy might differ by histological type, as its therapeutic effect might be unclear. A multicenter analysis is essential for confirmation

Study Finds Omission of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Safe for Patients with Sentinel Node Micrometastases (early stage breast cancer)

full free access: link: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/60/1/2.pdf