Background and objective: To assess clinical and obstetric outcome in young patients with epithelial ovarian cancer treated with fertility sparing surgery.
Methods: Eighteen patients younger than 40 years carrying epithelial ovarian tumors were submitted to fertility sparing surgery between 1988 and 2003. Disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analysis was performed with the chi(2) test.
Results: Disease free survival (DFS) 83.3% and overall survival (OS) 94.4% of patients treated with conservative surgery at 10 years. Up to date, six of seven patients who attempted pregnancy delivered seven healthy newborns.
Conclusion: Conservative surgery in young women with epithelial ovarian cancer is an appropriate therapeutic option in patients who wish to preserve childbearing potential. Long-term follow-up results shows excellent overall survival and pregnancy results.
(c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.