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. 2022 Dec 22;15(1):73.
doi: 10.3390/cancers15010073.

Identifying Borderline Ovarian Tumor Recurrence Using Routine Ultrasound Follow-Up

Caitlin Lazurko  1 , Tomer Feigenberg  2   3 , Joan Murphy  2 , Kate Pulman  2   3 , Genevieve Lennox  2   3 , Valerie Dube  4 , Tiffany Zigras  2   3
Affiliations

Identifying Borderline Ovarian Tumor Recurrence Using Routine Ultrasound Follow-Up

Caitlin Lazurko et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are non-invasive tumors frequently diagnosed in young patients. Surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and omentum is considered definitive management, however fertility-sparing approach is a recognized option. Surveillance is important due to known recurrence, but there is controversy over the effectiveness of follow-up modalities. The objective is to determine the efficacy of ultrasound screening in identifying tumor recurrence. This retrospective chart review evaluated all patients consulted and/or treated surgically at our institution from January 2015 to June 2020 diagnosed with BOT. Patients were excluded if concurrently diagnosed with another gynecologic malignancy, did not have yearly ultrasound follow-up, or were lost to follow-up. This study included 56 patients, 17 of whom underwent fertility preserving surgery. The overall rate of recurrence was 10.7%; with recurrence rates of 23.5% for the fertility preserving surgery population and 5.1% for the definitive surgery population. Ultrasound first identified 5 of the 6 (83.3%) recurrences. Overall time to recurrence was 51.5 months. In conclusion, recurrences were identified on routine ultrasound screening prior to symptom onset or detection via physical exam in 83.3% of cases. While the best modality of follow-up remains controversial, this review provides evidence supporting the use of routine ultrasound follow-up for early detection of BOT recurrence.

Keywords: borderline ovarian tumor; recurrence; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan–Meier progression-free survival curve.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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