RESUMEN
AIMS: To determine overall survival of patients treated for a first relapse of FIGO stage III ovarian cancer, outside of randomized trial, with a long term follow-up and to identify prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 108 patients treated for a first relapse of a FIGO stage III ovarian cancer was retrospectively included from December 1999 to November 2004. Each patient was treated with platinum-based chemotherapy in case of late (>6 months) relapse and with salvage chemotherapy without platinum in case of <6 months relapse. For statistical analysis the studied parameters were age, histological subtype, the completeness of initial surgery, disease-free period, localization of the relapse, clinical response to second-line chemotherapy, the completeness of secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) when it was performed. RESULTS: Median follow-up from the first relapse was 40 months. From the 108 patients, 35 underwent SCS. Median overall survival from the first relapse was 13 months in case of no SCS or non-optimal SCS and 35 months for patient with an optimal SCS (p = 0.006). In a multivariate analysis age, disease-free period, the clinical presentation of the relapse, completeness of SCS and response to second line chemotherapy appeared to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors of ovarian cancer relapse are directly or indirectly linked with the feasibility of a complete SCS. Thus in the case of an ovarian cancer relapse, the feasibility of SCS must be considered in order to give the patient the best chance to experience its complete removal.