The role of lymph node resection in ovarian cancer: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database

Please cite this paper as: Rouzier R, Bergzoll C, Brun J, Dubernard G, Selle F, Uzan S, Pomel C, Darai E. The role of lymph node resection in ovarian cancer: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database. BJOG 2010;117:1451–1458. Objective The therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy on the survival in patients with ovarian cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival impact of lymphadenectomy, depending on the disease stage and extent of the surgery. Design The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) registry provided ovarian cancer data from 17 registries. Setting Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Population The study population comprised 49 783 patients. Methods Survival was studied according to the number of lymph nodes removed, with stratifications on disease stage and extent of surgery. Main outcome measure The 5-year cause-specific survival rate. Results The median follow up for patients alive at the last follow-up visit was 39 months. The five-year cause-specific survival rates were 37, 62, and 71% for the groups in which no lymph nodes were examined, in which between one and nine nodes were examined, and in which ten or more nodes were examined, respectively (P