Early-stage vaginal carcinoma--an analysis of 70 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess outcomes and define prognostic factors for early-stage vaginal carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of women with FIGO stages I and II vaginal carcinoma identified from the database of the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between January 1982 and December 1998. RESULTS: Seventy women were identified. The 5-year survivals for stages I and II carcinomas were 71 and 48%, respectively (P < 0.05). Sixty-one patients (87%) had squamous cell carcinomas with a 5-year survival of 68% versus 22% for adenocarcinomas (P < 0.01). Those women with grade 3 tumors had a 5-year survival of 40% versus 69% for grades 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Tumor size and site were not significant prognostic factors. Patients treated by surgery alone or with combined surgery and radiotherapy had a significantly improved survival compared to the radiation alone group (P < 0.01). Eighty-five percent of recurrences were locoregional. The median time to relapse was 12 months after initiation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Tumor morphology, grade, and stage are important prognostic indicators. Measures aimed at improving local control of the disease, including surgery, are necessary.

Anemia before and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with cervical carcinoma: Effect on progression-free survival.

To determine the impact of anemia before and during chemoradiation in patients with cervical cancer, we collected data on hemoglobin (Hb) levels before and during treatment from 60 unselected patients with cervical carcinoma. All patients had FIGO stage IB to IVA disease and were treated with concurrent chemoradiation for the aim of cure. Patients with an Hb value below or equal to the lower 25th quartile were considered anemic. Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. After a median follow-up of 26.3 months, 20 patients developed disease progression. The lowest Hb during chemoradiation (nadir Hb), the stage of disease, and parametrial involvement were correlated significantly with PFS. On multivariate analysis, the nadir Hb (relative risk [RR] 0.29) and tumor stage (RR 3.4) remained the only prognostically relevant factors predicting PFS. At 60 months the PFS was 39.1% for anemic patients and 48.0% for nonanemic patients (P < 0.0002). In patients undergoing chemoradiation for cervical carcinoma, a low nadir Hb is highly predictive of shortened PFS, whereas the Hb before treatment is prognostically not significant.

Safety and efficacy of low anterior en bloc resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for patients with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and safety of a low anterior resection of the rectosigmoid plus adjacent pelvic tumour as part of primary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer. METHODS: This study included 65 consecutive patients with primary ovarian cancer who had debulking surgery from 1996 through 2000. All patients underwent an en bloc resection of ovarian cancer and a rectosigmoid resection followed by an end-to-end anastomosis. Parameters for safety and efficacy were considered as primary statistical endpoints for the aim of this analysis. RESULTS: Postoperative residual tumour was nil, <1 cm, and >1 cm in 14, 34, and 14 patients, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 6 to 50 days). Intraoperative complications included an injury to the urinary bladder in one patient. Postoperative complications included wound complications (n = 14, 21.5%), septicemia (n = 9, 13.8%), cardiac complications (n = 7, 10.8%), thromboembolic complications (n = 5, 7.7%), ileus (n = 2, 3.1%), anastomotic leak (n = 2, 3.1%), and fistula (n = 1, 1.5%). Reasons for a reoperation during the same admission included repair of an anastomotic leak (n = 1), postoperative hemorrhage (n = 1), and wound debridement (n = 1). Wound complications, septicemia, and anastomotic leak formation were more frequent in patients who had a serum albumin level of < or =30 g/L preoperatively. There was one surgically related mortality in a patient who died from a cerebral vascular accident 2 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: An en bloc resection as part of primary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is effective and its morbidity is acceptably low.

The significance of psammoma bodies on cervical cytology smears.

OBJECTIVE: The association between psammoma bodies on cervical smear (PBCS) and the presence of gynecological malignancy has been documented previously. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of malignancy where psammoma bodies were detected on smear, to identify features that may be predictive of associated malignancy, and to make recommendations about management. METHODS: The databases of two large private pathology laboratories were accessed to obtain details of all patients reported to have PBCS between April 1992 and May 2000. A retrospective review was then undertaken to determine if any patients were found to have gynecological malignancies. The appearances of the background cells on the cervical smear and details of clinical management were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were found to have PBCS. Five patients were found to have a gynecological malignancy. These five patients were significantly older than the remaining patients. When these results were combined with all cases reported in the world literature, it became apparent that patients with coexisting malignancy were statistically significantly older than those not found to have malignancy (P < 0.0001). The cytological appearance of cells on the background smear was highly predictive of the presence or absence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between PBCS and genital tract malignancy. This association is much stronger for postmenopausal women. The background cytology is highly predictive of the presence of associated malignancy. There is a strong argument that all women with psammoma bodies on cervical smear should undergo smear review, pelvic ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and biopsy, and laparoscopy to exclude the presence of a gynecological malignancy. For younger reproductive-aged women, a negative workup is reassuring.

Impact of hemoglobin levels before and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy on the response of treatment in patients with cervical carcinoma: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing radiation for cervical carcinoma, there is evidence that anemia is associated with an impaired outcome. For patients undergoing chemoradiation, there are no data available. The objective of this retrospective study was to examine the impact of anemia before and during chemoradiation in patients with cervical carcinoma. METHODS: The authors collected data on hemoglobin (Hb) levels before and during treatment from 57 patients with cervical carcinoma. The stage of disease ranged between Stage IB and Stage IVA. All patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Response to chemoradiation was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The mean Hb level at the time of presentation was 12.9 +/- 1.6 g/dL in patients with a complete clinical response (CCR) and 12.1 +/- 1.4 g/dL in those with persistent disease (P = 0.126). In patients with a CCR, the mean nadir Hb level was 11.1 +/- 1.3 g/dL, and in patients with treatment failure, it was 9.8 +/- 1.8 g/dL (P = 0.008). A univariate logistic regression model demonstrated that the nadir Hb level was the most predictive factor for treatment failure (relative risk, 1.92; P = 0.015) followed by disease stage (relative risk, 0.51; P = 0.074). In a multivariate model, the nadir Hb level remained the only prognostically relevant factor predicting the response to chemoradiation. Only patients with nadir Hb values > 11 g/dL throughout chemoradiation had a more than 90% chance of achieving a CCR. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing chemoradiation for cervical carcinoma, the nadir Hb level is highly predictive of response to treatment, whereas the Hb level at the time of presentation is prognostically not significant.

Accuracy of frozen section for the operative management of endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of intra-operative frozen section reports at identifying the features of high risk uterine disease compared with final histopathology. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: The records of 460 patients with uterine cancer registered with the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Intra-operative frozen section was undertaken in 260 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. Frozen section pathology was compared with the final histopathology reports. Inter-observer reliability was assessed using percentage agreement and kappa statistics. Clinical notes were also reviewed to determine if errors resulted in sub-optimal patient care. RESULTS: Respectively, tumour grade and depth of myometrial invasion were accurately reported in 88.6% of cases (expected 61.5%, Kappa 0.70) and 94.7% (expected 53.8%, Kappa 0.89). Errors were predominantly attributable to difficulties with respect to the interpretation of tumour grade. The error resulted in the patient receiving sub-optimal surgical management in only 11 cases (5.3%) CONCLUSION: Frozen section is accurate at identifying the features of high risk uterine disease in the setting of endometrial cancer and can play an important role in directing primary operative management.

Postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy for node-negative Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to look at the efficacy of extended surgical staging and postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy in patients with Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Between January 1989 and December 1997, there were 30 patients with Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma who received postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy as the only adjuvant treatment. The study group consisted of 15 of these patients who had extended surgical staging (including lymphadenectomy). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 36 months (range 17 to 113 months), there has been no recurrence. There were no major complications from surgery. Only 1 patient had mild rectal bleeding following vaginal vault brachytherapy and there were no grade 3 or 4 bowel toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Extended surgical staging and postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy for Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma is associated with minimal morbidity and excellent survival.

Primary Bartholin gland carcinoma: a report of seven cases.

This study reviews our experience with 7 patients with primary Bartholin gland cancer (BGC) treated at the Queensland Gynaecological Cancer Centre (QCGC) and compares this with previously published data. A retrospective clinicopathologic review of all patients with primary BGC treated at QCGC from 1988 to 2000 was performed. Of the 7 patients treated, all underwent primary surgery and 5 of the 7 patients received radiotherapy postoperatively. All patients presented with a local swelling or a lump. Two had associated discharge and 2 had associated pain. Of the 7 patients, 2, 3 and 2 respectively were classified as having Stage IB, II or III disease. Five of the 7 patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one had adenoid-cystic carcinoma and 1 had a small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. None of the patients with SCC developed recurrent disease. The patient with adenoid-cystic carcinoma experienced local recurrences at 4 years and again at 5 years and 3 months. Nine years after primary treatment she was diagnosed with pulmonary metastases. The patient with small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland was considered tumour-free after operation. Thorough imaging, including a CT scan of her chest, abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of disease. She died 1 year and three months after diagnosis from disseminated pulmonary disease. We present the first report of small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. Therapeutic principles in the management of vulval cancer at other sites appear to be appropriate for management of BGC.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: the Queensland experience.

The purpose of this study was to review the experience with fallopian tube carcinoma in Queensland and to compare it with previously published data. Thirty-six patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma treated at the Queensland Gynaecological Cancer Center from 1988 to 1999 were reviewed in a retrospective clinicopathologic study. All patients had primary surgery and 31/36 received chemotherapy postoperatively. Abnormal vaginal bleeding (15/36) and abdominal pain (14/36) were the most common presenting symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Median follow-up was 70.3 months and the median overall survival was 68.1 months. Surgical stage I disease (P = 0.02) and the absence of residual tumor after operation (P = 0.03) were the only factors associated with improved survival. Twenty of the 36 patients (55%) presented with stage I disease and survival was 62.7% at 5 years. No patient with postoperative residual tumor survived. The majority of the patients with fallopian tube carcinoma present with stage I disease at diagnosis, but their survival probability is low compared with that of other early stage gynecological malignancies. If primary surgical debulking cannot achieve macroscopic tumor clearence, the chance of survival is extremely low.

Peritoneal cytology: impact on disease-free survival in clinical stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus.

The prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology in endometrial carcinoma has led to the incorporation of peritoneal cytology into the current FIGO staging system. While cytology was shown to be prognostically relevant in patients with stage II and III disease, conflicting data exists about its significance in patients who would have been stage I but were classified as stage III solely and exclusively on the basis of positive peritoneal cytology (clinical stage I). Analysis was based on the data of 369 consecutive patients with clinical stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Standard treatment consisted of an abdominal total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without pelvic lymph node dissection. Peritoneal cytology was obtained at laparotomy by peritoneal washing of the pouch of Douglas and was considered positive if malignant cells could be detected regardless of the number of malignant cells present. Disease-free survival (DFS) was considered the primary statistical endpoint. In 13/369 (3.5%) patients, positive peritoneal cytology was found. The median follow-up was 29 months and 15 recurrences occurred. Peritoneal cytology was independent of the depth of myometrial invasion and the grade of tumour differentiation. Patients with negative washings had a DFS of 96% at 36 months compared with 67% for patients with positive washings (log-rank P<0.001). The presence of positive peritoneal cytology in patients with clinically stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is considered an adverse prognostic factor.

Local recurrence in high-risk node-negative stage I endometrial carcinoma treated with postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of failure after extended surgical staging and postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy as the only adjuvant treatment in high-risk surgical Stage I patients with endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: The records of all patients with endometrial carcinoma (adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous) receiving vaginal vault brachytherapy as the only adjuvant treatment from January 1989 to December 1997 were examined. A total of 489 patients were found. Of these, 133 had extended surgical staging. The study group consists of 77 surgical Stage I patients with Substages IBG3 and any grade IC. Recurrences were recorded as in the vagina, pelvis, or distant. RESULTS: The mean follow-up interval was 45 months (range 14 to 96 months). Eleven patients had recurrence (14%). Median time to recurrence was 15 months (range 6 to 56 months). Recurrences occurred in the vagina in 7, pelvis in 1, and distantly in 3 patients. Five of 7 vaginal recurrences occurred within 2 years. All patients with distant recurrence died from disease. One patient with pelvic recurrence is alive with disease. Only 1 patient with vaginal recurrence died from disease. Six patients with isolated recurrences in the vagina were successfully treated with radiotherapy with or without local excision. All 6 have no evidence of disease at follow-up (median survival 29 months, range 20 to 71 months). CONCLUSIONS: The vagina remains the most common site of recurrence for high-risk surgical Stage I patients treated with postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy. Close follow-up in the first 2 years is essential to detect isolated vaginal recurrences. These are amenable to salvage treatment with good disease-free survival.

Endometrial adenocarcinoma--presenting pathology is a poor guide to surgical management.

We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the histological grade of endometrial cancer diagnosed on endometrial biopsy or curettage, with the definitive grade and stage of lesion as determined by surgery and histopathological examination and to make recommendations about the suitability of conservative surgery based on pre-operative determination of the grade of endometrial adenocarcinoma. A retrospective review of all patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma presenting to the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1998 was undertaken. Clinical and pathological data was abstracted from medical records and case notes of 460 patients. All histological specimens were prospectively reviewed by a panel consisting of gynaecologic pathologists, gynaecologic oncologists and other doctors involved in the treatment of patients with gynaecological malignancies. The percentage of patients whose management would have been optimised by full surgical staging at the time of initial surgery was calculated. Only 60%, 71%, and 84 % of the patients with a presenting diagnosis of grade 1, 2 and 3 endometrial adenocarcinomas respectively had this confirmed on final histopathology. Furthermore, using established criteria, 30%, 46% and 100% of patients presenting with grade 1, 2 and 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma required full surgical staging at the time of their primary surgery There is poor correlation between the pre-operative grade of endometrial cancer and the grade as determined on analysis of the resected uterus. The correlation is poorest with grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma, where strongest consideration is given to conservative surgery and the avoidance of subspecialty referral. There is a strong argument that all patients with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer made on endometrial biopsy or curettage, regardless of grade of malignancy, should be offered surgery where the option to perform concurrent comprehensive surgical staging is available.

Stage 3B adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: a clinicopathologic study.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the management of Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (EAC) and to determine the utility of the FIGO classification as it applies to patients with this category of disease and make recommendations on management. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of the database of the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) from January 1982 to December 1996. The records of all patients recorded as having Stage IIIB EAC were retrieved. After validation of the designated staging, the contemporary disease status was determined and clinicopathological details were extracted from case notes. RESULTS: Of a total of 1940 patients with EAC treated by QCGC over the 15-year study period, 14 (0.7%) patients met the inclusion criteria. Nine patients (64%) presented with postmenopausal bleeding and the remaining patients presented with a variety of symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the study group and other patients with advanced stage EAC ranging from Stage IIIA to Stage IVB disease. Survival of patients with Stage IIIB disease was statistically significantly worse than that of patients with Stage IIIA disease, but was not statistically significantly different from patients with Stage IIIC, IVA, or IVB. While all patients had the unifying characteristic of metastatic disease in the vagina, the true extent of disease could not be determined by a full surgical staging procedure. Such optimal surgery was contraindicated in all patients because of the presence of significant coexisting medical conditions. Consequently, treatment was highly individualized. CONCLUSIONS: Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is an uncommon condition. Similar to other substages of advanced disease, it is associated with a poor prognosis and requires individualized management. The argument is presented that this substage could be eliminated and included with Stage IIIC disease.

Radical surgery for endometriosis.

Infiltrative endometriosis is an uncommon condition that may involve all pelvic organs and is associated with considerable morbidity. A small percentage of patients will have disease that is unresponsive to hormonal therapy and is unsuitable for conservative surgery. Presented is a review of 5 case reports of patients who required radical surgery for control of symptoms caused by endometriosis. Radical surgery was associated with minimal morbidity and a high rate of resolution of symptoms. Radical surgery should be considered as part of the treatment strategy particularly when there is evidence of endometriosis invading into the adjacent gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract.

Fertility and ovarian function after conservative surgery for germ cell tumours of the ovary.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCT) principally occur in girls and young women and are generally unilateral. Effective combination chemotherapy with conservative surgery has seen a dramatic improvement in survival rates. This increase has shifted the focus to long-term fertility and reproductive outcome. The present study describes 45 patients with MOGCT treated with conservative surgery to preserve fertility, with or without the addition of chemotherapy. The age range was 10 to 32 years with a mean of 20 years. The majority of the subjects had Stage 1 tumours; 44 underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 1 patient ovarian cystectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 29 patients. Overall mean follow-up was 58.7 months. There were 4 recurrences and 2 deaths. Survival of those with Stage 1 disease was 97% and for advanced stages 87%. During chemotherapy 50% became amenorrhoeic but 96% resumed normal menstrual function on completion. Seven healthy babies were recorded in the chemotherapy group and no documented birth defects occurred in any of these. There was no case of persistent infertility; 3 patients experienced temporary problems. It is concluded that conservative fertility-sparing surgery is the treatment of choice in these young women and advanced disease is not necessarily a contraindication. The majority can anticipate normal menstrual function and fertility.

Microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

We evaluated the management of patients with microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix (MIAC), in particular, to determine the place of conservative surgery, and determine if the FIGO classification for MIAC is valid and equivalent to the classification as it applies to microinvasive squamous cancer. A review was undertaken of the database of the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) from January, 1986 to October, 1998. The records of all patients recorded as having MIAC were retrieved. Microinvasion was defined according to the 1995 FIGO classification as a depth of invasion of no greater than 5 mm and a horizontal dimension of no greater than 7 mm 30 patients were found to have been treated for MIAC. The vast majority (29) were asymptomatic, disease being discovered at the time of routine Papanicolaou smear. There was a 43% incidence of coexisting squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. Multifocal disease was found in 17% of patients and lymph-vascular positivity in 7%. Eighteen patients were treated with radical surgery and 13 with conservative surgery. There were no recurrences over a follow-up interval of 3-116 months. Of the 18 patients treated with radical surgery, none was found to have occult microscopic disease in the parametria or nodal metastases. A total of 27 ovaries were removed, all of which were free of disease. In this small study, MIAC appears to behave in a manner similar to the squamous equivalent. The results provide some justification for the FIGO classification of a microinvasive glandular neoplasm of the cervix. There is some support for a role for conservative surgery in managing this condition, but there is insufficient worldwide experience to make definitive recommendations.

Low malignant potential ovarian tumours: a review of 175 consecutive cases.

Epithelial ovarian tumours of low malignant potential (LMP) are known to have a generally good prognosis, although there is not universal agreement on all aspects of treatment. We report a series of 175 patients with LMP ovarian tumours referred to the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between January, 1982 and December, 1993. Stage I disease accounted for 142 cases, with only 1 patient dead from disease at 293 months. Twenty nine patients in this group had conservative surgery with 1 recurrence only (in the contralateral ovary) giving a recurrence rate of 3.5%. Survival and treatment data for other stages are presented, and the current literature reviewed. It is suggested that early stage disease may be treated conservatively depending upon the patient's desire to retain reproductive capacity. While adjuvant therapy is not recommended, long-term follow-up is indicated. More advanced disease should be debulked to the smallest practical volume. The role of lymphadenectomy has been questioned, as survival has not been shown to be affected by treatment decisions made as a result of knowing the lymph node status. Whilst some centres give platinum-based adjuvant therapy, the evidence that it is beneficial is not supported by any prospective randomized trials.

Endometrial papillary serous carcinoma: patterns of spread and treatment.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma exemplifies the potential for Müllerian epithelium at any site to differentiate along histologic patterns that replicate Müllerian epithelium at other sites, especially when neoplastic. Papillary serous differentiation is most commonly associated with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Papillary serous differentiation of endometrial malignancy is associated with a poor prognosis wrought mainly through the tendency to present as late- stage disease. There is a considerable discrepancy between clinical and surgical staging. Because surgical stage is the single most important prognostic factor, the need for standardized, accurate, and comprehensive staging is highlighted, particularly where experimental protocols are being evaluated. Similarly, there is a need for strict adherence to standardized histologic criteria and reporting, particularly in making the often subtle distinction between papillary endometrioid adenocarcinoma and UPSC. Because even the earliest stage of disease is associated with a poor prognosis, a case can be made for offering adjuvant therapy to all patients diagnosed with UPSC. No single adjuvant modality has emerged as preeminent. There is comparable response to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens, suggesting a need to compare these regimens in a multicenter, randomized trial. Because UPSC constitutes up to 10% of all endometrial carcinomas, there should be no difficulty accruing sufficient numbers for meaningful analysis. Although such a study may provide clues to optimizing available adjuvant strategies, further improvement in treatment regimens is required to effectively alter the poor prognosis associated with this condition.

Splenectomy as part of cytoreductive surgery for ovarian carcinoma.

Splenectomy is sometimes necessary to achieve optimal cytoreduction or manage iatrogenic injury in the surgical management of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and related conditions. To determine the place of splenectomy in cytoreductive surgery a retrospective review was made of patient hospital records. Between April 1989 and August 1994, 18 patients were found to have undergone a splenectomy as a component of their surgery leading to optimal debulking. Morbidity attributable to the splenectomy was minimal, with no significant increase in operative time or blood loss. The morbidity attributable to the splenectomy was as follows: atelectasis and/or effusion (8), pancreatic tail injury (4), thrombocytosis > 10(6)/microliters (3), pancreatic pseudocyst (1), partial left adrenalectomy (1), and pulmonary embolism (1). There were no instances of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection. Five patients were anticipated to require splenectomy and may have benefitted from preoperative vaccination against potential pathogens. Three patients were found to have splenic parenchymal metastases. Consistent with the international literature, these patients had other features consistent with stage IV disease, recurrent disease, or poor survival. Consideration should be given to expanding the FIGO stage IV classification to include splenic parenchymal disease. Splenectomy is a feasible and safe procedure to facilitate optimal tumor debulking; however, the potential associated morbidity mitigates against this procedure if significant, suboptimal residual disease is left elsewhere.