Dr. Olawaiye on the Role of Surgery in Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer

Alexander B. Olawaiye, MD, director, Gynecologic Oncology Research Program, and assistant professor of gynecologic oncology, University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the role of surgery in women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.

Typically, women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer are considered for laparotomy to safely remove as much of the cancer as possible, says Olawaiye.

The goal of laparotomy is to leave patients with no gross residual disease or optimal cytoreductive surgery in which patients are left with <1 cm of residual disease, says Olawaiye.

Though upfront laparotomy may be utilized, physicians are increasingly using laparoscopy to assess the abdomen to determine is the patient is eligible for surgery. Moreover, laparoscopy may identify patients who are not eligible for surgery, sparing patients a large abdominal incision, concludes Olawaiye.