Complications and Survivorship Trends After Primary Debulking Surgery for Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Background We examined factors associated with postoperative complications, 1-year overall and cancer-specific survival after epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) diagnosis. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for EOC between 2004 and 2013 were included. Multivariable models analyzed postoperative complications, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival. Results Among 5223 patients, surgical complications were common. Postoperative complications correlated with increased odds of overall and disease-specific survival at 1 y. Receipt of chemotherapy was similar among women with and without postoperative complications and was independently associated with a reduction in the hazard of overall and disease-specific death at 1-year. Extensive pelvic and upper abdomen surgery resulted in 2.26 times the odds of postoperative complication, but was associated with longer 1-year overall 0.53 (0.35, 0.82) and disease-specific survival 0.54 (0.34, 0.85). Conclusions Although extent of surgery was associated with complications, the survival benefit from comprehensive surgery offset the risk. Tailored surgical treatment for women with EOC may improve outcomes.