Epithelial ovarian cancer relapsing as isolated lymph node disease: natural history and clinical outcome
2008

Ovarian Cancer and Isolated Lymph Node Recurrence

Sample size: 32 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Francesco Legge, Marco Petrillo, Vincenzo Adamo, Salvatore Pisconti, Giovanni Scambia, Gabriella Ferrandina

Primary Institution: Catholic University of Campobasso, Italy

Hypothesis

Isolated lymph node recurrence (ILNR) in ovarian cancer patients has a less aggressive progression compared to other forms of recurrence.

Conclusion

ILNR represents a less aggressive pattern of ovarian cancer relapse, with many patients remaining free from peritoneal disease for extended periods.

Supporting Evidence

  • 75% of patients were free from peritoneal disease after 2 years from the diagnosis of ILNR.
  • Median Post-Relapse Survival (PRS) was 37 months.
  • Median Overall Survival (OS) was 109 months.
  • Only Platinum-Free Interval (PFI) retained a prognostic role for PRS.

Takeaway

Some women with ovarian cancer can have a type of relapse that only affects lymph nodes, and this is usually less serious than other types of relapse.

Methodology

The study reviewed cases of isolated lymph node recurrence in ovarian cancer patients over 11 years, analyzing survival rates and disease progression.

Potential Biases

Potential underestimation of peritoneal disease due to the surgical confirmation of ILNR in only 37.5% of cases.

Limitations

The study's findings may be limited by the small sample size and the retrospective nature of the analysis.

Participant Demographics

Median age was 60 years, with most patients staged as FIGO stage IIIC-IV disease.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.033

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-8-367

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