Role of palliative surgery in ovarian cancer

Abstract The most common indication for palliative surgery in recurrent ovary cancer is malignant bowel obstruction. After careful diagnosis of bowel obstruction, conservative management should be employed. If resolution of obstruction does not occur, the decision to perform surgery must be made. Several authors have reported on outcomes in patients undergoing surgery. Operative morbidity and mortality is 7–64% and 4–32%, respectively, and median survival is 5–33 weeks in these reports. Surgery should be considered in select patients after a thorough discussion with the patient regarding the likely outcome following the procedure, including the potential for morbidity and mortality. The surgery should be aimed at relieving the symptoms and improving quality of life.