Analysis of Factors Influencing Relapse and Pregnancy in Patients with Borderline Ovarian Tumors

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study analyzed the factors affecting recurrence in patients after surgery with borderline ovarian tumors and postoperative recurrence and pregnancy after fertility-sparing surgery (FSS), to provide guidance for clinical treatment of borderline ovarian tumors and propose a therapeutic strategy for fertility protection. Methods: A total of 415 patients with borderline ovarian tumors were initially operated on in the gynecology ward of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated with China Medical University from September 1, 2013, to September 1, 2019. Central pathology review and prospective follow-up were carried out. The clinical and pathological data were consulted through the medical record query system of our hospital. The recurrence and pregnancy of the patients were investigated through telephone follow-up and outpatient and inpatient medical records. The influence of clinical and pathological variables on recurrence and pregnancy were evaluated using univariate/multivariate analyses. Results: In this study, 415 patients were collected, of which 21 lost follow-up, and a total of 394 eligible patients were included in the analysis. Among these patients, 25 patients relapsed with a recurrence rate of 6.3% and there were 196 patients with fertility-sparing surgery, of the 63 patients attempting to conceive, 35 were able to attain pregnancy with a pregnancy rate of 55.6%. All patients survived until the follow-up deadline. In univariate and multivariate analyses, FSS, FIGO stage, and micropapillary pattern were independent risk factors for recurrence of BOTs. FIGO stage, micropapillary pattern were independent risk factors for recurrence of BOTs with FSS. The risk of recurrence was not related to omentectomy nor postoperative chemotherapy. While omentectomy and chemotherapy had an impact on the pregnancy rate (P <0.05) and the pregnancy rate of patients without omentectomy or chemotherapy was higher. Conclusion: Omentectomy did not affect recurrence and it is not recommended as a routine operation. Adjuvant chemotherapy does not reduce the recurrence rate. While omentectomy and chemotherapy had an impact on the pregnancy rate, and both of them should be carried out more carefully in patients with fertility requirements.

Keywords: borderline ovarian tumor; fertility preservation; pregnancy; recurrence.