Contemporary Surgical Management of Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Survey of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to review the current practice patterns regarding the surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors. Methods. A one-page survey was mailed to the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), using the directory of the Society. The survey addressed the demographics of the respondent and the recommended staging procedure for presumed early-stage disease. Results. Of the 660 surveys mailed, 274 (42%) were returned. Ninety-seven percent (267/274) of respondents advocate surgical staging. Of this group, 96% (257/267) perform peritoneal washings, 97% (259/267) sample the omentum, and 92% (245/267) submit random peritoneal biopsies. Eighty-eight percent (235/267) perform lymph node sampling: paraaortic biopsies by 89% (210/235) and pelvic biopsies by 97% (228/235). Of this latter group, 91% sample the external iliac chain, 82% submit hypogastric nodal tissue, and 70% remove obturator lymph nodes. Conclusion. Diversity exists in the surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors among members of the SGO who responded to this survey. Efforts to ensure a consistent approach to the management of borderline ovarian tumors are warranted.