Pablo Jara

Recurrence rate and quality of life in women with borderline ovarian tumours, according to surgical approach

To assess the recurrence rate and quality of life (QOL) in women with a history of borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) based on the type of surgery (conservative vs non-conservative) in Spain. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 85 women treated for BOTs between 2007 and 2023 at two hospitals. QOL questionnaires were administered face-to-face to eligible patients. Individuals with dementia, living in an institution, or residing outside the region were excluded from this study. General characteristics and the recurrence rate were analysed retrospectively. Three validated questionnaires - European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core QOL questionnaire for patients with cancer (QLQ-C30), EORTC QOL questionnaire for patients with ovarian cancer (QLQ-OV28) and Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS II) - were used to assess QOL in eligible patients. The recurrence rate was low (5.9 %) and the disease-specific overall survival rate was high with only two (2.4 %) deaths. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III disease [odds ratio (OR) 58.5, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 6.02-568.53; p < 0.0001] and positive peritoneal cytology (OR 26, 95 % CI 2.68-252.68; p = 0.005] were associated with recurrence. No association was found between the type of surgery (conservative vs non-conservative) and QOL. Older age was associated with poorer sexual function scores on QLQ-OV28. This study highlights the need for careful evaluation of each case. The current evidence does not recommend conservative surgery to improve QOL.