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New Delhi: A recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, reveals that removing lymph nodes from the pelvis and rear abdominal walls following chemotherapy can significantly increase survival rates for ovarian cancer patients. The study was published in the Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute on April 11.
The research, which focused on 105 patients, indicated a five-year overall survival probability of 48.9%. Dr. M D Ray, professor at Dr. B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (Dr BRA-IRCH), AIIMS, and the study’s principal investigator, emphasized the importance of systematic lymph node removal to enhance patient survival.
Dr. Ray noted the technical challenges of the procedure, highlighting the need for specialized training due to the proximity of major heart vessels to the lymph nodes. The study suggests that enlarged lymph nodes are integral to ovarian cancer and should be removed even after chemotherapy.
Ovarian cancer is increasingly prevalent in India, with approximately one lakh cases detected annually, making it the third most common cancer among women after breast and cervical cancer. The study analyzed 105 advanced ovarian cancer cases that underwent pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between 2012 and 2018 at IRCH.
The findings suggest chemotherapy does not always sterilize affected nodes, potentially leading to relapse. The study introduces the Nodal Cancer Index (NCI) to assist surgeons in better and more objective lymph node removal, ultimately improving survival outcomes.
The study also noted that ovarian cancer incidence is rapidly increasing worldwide, and is considered the most lethal gynecological cancer, with most cases diagnosed at advanced stages. The standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancers globally involves optimal cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by systemic chemotherapy.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.
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