Can complete tumor resection be predicted in advanced primary epithelial ovarian cancer? A systematic evaluation of 360 consecutive patients

Abstract Background Postoperative tumor-residual-mass is the most important prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Aim of our study was to define risk factors for incomplete tumor resection in advanced primary EOC. Patients & methods A validated intraoperative documentation tool (“Intraoperative-Mapping of Ovarian-Cancer” = “IMO”) was applied to systematically evaluate intraabdominal tumor dissemination pattern, maximal tumor load, tumor residuals and operative morbidity for all EOC-patients who underwent primary surgery in our institution during 09/2000–08/2009. Univariate- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify independent risk factors of incomplete tumor resection and operative complications. Results We evaluated 360 consecutive EOC-patients of FIGO-stage-III/IV. In 221(61%) patients a complete tumor resection could be obtained. In 50(14%) patients tumor residuals were