A collaborative surgical approach to upper and lower abdominal cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer

Collaborative expertise of gynecological and surgical oncologists in managing advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) present with significant peritoneal spread. We assessed collaborative efforts of surgical and gynecological oncologists with expertise in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in the management of advanced EOC.

METHODS

Using a prospective single-center database (2014-2022), we described the operative and oncologic outcomes of stage IIIC-IVA primary and recurrent EOC perioperatively managed jointly by gynecological and surgical oncologists both specializing in CRS and presented components of this collaboration.

RESULTS

Of 199 identified patients, 132 (66 %) had primary and 53 (27 %) had recurrent EOC. Due to inoperable disease, 14 (7 %) cases were aborted and excluded from analysis. Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) in primary and recurrent patients was 21 (IQR: 11-28) and 21 (IQR: 6-31). Upper abdominal surgery was required in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 89 % (n = 47) of recurrent patients. Bowel resections were performed in 83 % (n = 110) and 72 % (n = 38), respectively. Complete cytoreduction (CC-0/1) with no disease or residual lesions <2.5 mm was achieved in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 91 % (n = 48) of recurrent patients. Ninety-day Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV morbidity was 12 % (n = 16) and 21 % (n = 11), respectively. Median follow-up was 44 (95%CI: 33-55) months. Median overall survival in primary and recurrent EOC was 68 (95%CI: 45-91) and 50 (95%CI: 16-84) months. Median progression-free survival was 26 (95%CI: 22-30) and 14 (95%CI: 7-21) months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative collaboration between surgical and gynecological oncologists specializing in CRS allows safe performance of complete cytoreduction in the majority of patients with primary and recurrent EOC, despite high tumor burden.

Upper-Abdominal Cytoreduction for Advanced Ovarian Cancer—Therapeutic Rationale, Surgical Anatomy and Techniques of Cytoreduction

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is the cornerstone of treating advanced ovarian cancer. Approximately 60–70% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer will have involvement in the upper abdomen or the supracolic compartment of the abdominal cavity. Though the involvement of this region results in poorer survival compared, complete cytoreduction benefits overall survival, making upper-abdominal cytoreduction an essential component of CRS for advanced ovarian cancer. The upper abdomen constitutes several vital organs and large blood vessels draped with the parietal or visceral peritoneum, common sites of disease in ovarian cancer. A surgeon treating advanced ovarian cancer should be well versed in upper-abdominal cytoreduction techniques, including diaphragmatic peritonectomy and diaphragm resection, lesser omentectomy, splenectomy with or without distal pancreatectomy, liver resection, cholecystectomy, and suprarenal retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Other procedures such as clearance of the periportal region, Glisson’s capsulectomy, clearance of the superior recess of the lesser sac, and Morrison’s pouch are essential as these regions are often involved in ovarian cancer. This manuscript covers the surgical anatomy of the upper abdomen, the techniques and therapeutic rationale of upper-abdominal cytoreduction, and specific measures for perioperative management of these patients. The main focus is the description of various peritonectomies and regional lymphadenectomies.

Addressing hepatic metastases in ovarian cancer: Recent advances in treatment algorithms and the need for a multidisciplinary approach

The lifetime risk for ovarian cancer incidence is 1.39% and the lifetime risk of death is 1.04%. Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages (III, IV) because there were no specific symptoms or existing screening tests. Liver metastases have been found in up to 50% of patients dying of advanced ovarian cancer. Recent studies indicate the need for a multidisciplinary approach from initial diagnosis to oncologic surgery and chemotherapy treatment, mandating the involvement of gynecologic oncologists, surgical oncologist, medical oncologists, hepatobiliary surgeons, and interventional radiologists.

Diaphragmatic Peritonectomy and Full-Thickness Resection in CRS/HIPEC May Allow Higher Completeness of Cytoreduction Rates with a Low Rate of Respiratory Complications

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) provides a survival benefit when achieved without residual disease. As diaphragm is frequently affected in peritoneal malignancies, complete cytoreduction often requires surgical techniques over the diaphragm. The purpose of the study was to assess diaphragmatic resection impact on cytoreduction completeness, morbidity and mortality compared to less aggressive diaphragmatic peritonectomy in CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) settings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and supramesocolic disease undergoing CRS/HIPEC from 2011 to 2019 were included in a prospectively collected database. We compared patients who underwent full-thickness diaphragmatic resection (DR) and diaphragmatic peritonectomy (DP). Epidemiological and clinical data, morbidity, and mortality within 90 days of surgery were documented.

RESULTS

232 patients were initially selected. Inclusion criteria were met by 88 procedures. DR was performed on 32 patients and DP on 56. Number of resected organs was 5.21 in the DR cohort vs. 3.57 in the DP cohort (p<0.0001). Rate of Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) score >14 was higher in the DR group (75%) than in the DP group (50.9%) (p=0.027). Tumor invasion of diaphragmatic muscle after DR was confirmed in 89.3% patients. Postoperative pleural effusion was observed in 28 patients (50%) in the DP group and in 17 (53.1%) in the DR group.

CONCLUSIONS

CRS/HIPEC requires specific surgical techniques over the diaphragm to achieve complete cytoreduction. As diaphragmatic muscle invasion is frequent, full-thickness resection may allow a cytoreduction completeness increase without an increased morbidity. Pleural drains are not systematically required as these procedures show low incidence of major respiratory complications.

Distribution of residual disease in the peritoneum following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and its potential therapeutic implications

INTRODUCTION

Residual disease in 'normal appearing' peritoneum is seen in nearly 30% of the patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for advanced ovarian cancer. The goal was to study the sequence of response in different regions, the commonest sites of occult residual disease, its incidence in different peritoneal regions and the potential therapeutic implications of these.

METHODS

This was a prospective multi-centre study (July 2018-June 2019). Pathological evaluation of cytoreductive surgery specimens was performed according to a fixed protocol. Prevalence of residual disease in different regions was used to study patterns of response and distribution of residual disease.

RESULT

In 85 patients treated between July 2018 to June 2019, microscopic disease in 'normal appearing' peritoneal regions was seen in 22 (25.2%) and in normal peritoneum around tumor nodules in 30 (35.2%) patients. Regions 4 and 8 of Sugarbaker's PCI had the highest incidence of occult disease and regions 9 and 10 the lowest. The response to chemotherapy occurred in a similar manner in over 95%- the least common site of residual disease was the small bowel mesentery, followed by upper regions (regions 1-3), omentum and middle regions (regions 0, 4, 8), lower regions (regions 5-7) and lastly the ovaries.

CONCLUSIONS

During interval CRS, based on the disease mapping provided in this manuscript, regions that have a high probability of residual disease should be explored and dissected. Complete resection of involved the peritoneal region can completely address the occult disease. The role of resection of the entire region as well as 'normal appearing' parietal peritoneal regions should be prospectively evaluated.

Secondary surgical cytoreduction needs to be assessed taking into account surgical technique, completeness of cytoreduction, and extent of disease

Recent evidence suggested that secondary surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy does not result in longer overall survival in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.This statement is based on a phase III multicenter, randomized clinical trial that lacks a description of the surgical protocol, the surgical technique, and the surgical variables. In a study that evaluates surgical cytoreduction, it is mandatory to assess the grade of cytoreductive surgery achieved (Sugarbaker PH, Langenbeck's Arch Surg 384:576-87, 1999), the extent of disease using PCI (Peritoneal Cancer Index), the technique itself, and the existence of a multidisciplinary approach with extensive upper abdominal procedures in experienced centers (Ren et al, BMC Cancer 15:1-12, 2015). There is evidence proving that the quality of cytoreduction (Al Rawahi et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013, 2013), the measurement of the amount of disease by PCI (Elzarkaa et al, J Gynecol Oncol 29, 2018), and a multidisciplinary approach with supramesocolic procedures (Ren et al, BMC Cancer 15:1-12, 2015) impact overall survival.This study fails to compare chemotherapy with secondary cytoreductive surgery since, due to the lack of variables, we can assess neither the performed surgery nor its criteria. This study should not be taken into account to recommend chemotherapy alone over a surgical approach in this group of patients.

Liver Resection as Part of Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the safety of hepatic resections for ovarian cancer liver metastases and the benefit in terms of survival as part of cytoreductive surgery among peritoneal seeding and parenchymal metastases.

Materials and Methods: Data were reviewed retrospectively from patients who underwent liver resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, in Lima, Perú, from January 2009 to December 2017.

Results: From January 2009 to December 2017, 1211 patients underwent surgical cytoreduction for ovarian cancer; 39 of these patients had liver resection as part of their surgical treatment, with 9, 17, and 13 patients receiving primary, secondary, and tertiary, resections, respectively. The mean age of the patients was 46, the majority (87%) had stage III/IV ovarian cancer. In addition, 21 patients had parenchymal metastasis resections, and 95% of the patients had Dindo–Clavien I and II grade complications. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.

Conclusions: Liver resection for advanced ovarian cancer is a safe procedure for primary up to quaternary cytoreduction and may confer survival benefits to patients.