Role of obesity in the surgical management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer
Wolfberg, A.J.; Montz, F.J.; Bristow, R.E.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 49(6): 473-476
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 15283057 Document Number: 571029
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether obese women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer undergoing primary cytoreduction surgery were at increased risk of suboptimal cytoreduction and complications during the operative and postoperative period as compared to nonobese women. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective, case-control study of all cases of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer managed surgically at Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1999. RESULTS: Obese patients were as likely as nonobese patients to undergo optimal cytoreduction at surgery. Obese patients were more likely than nonobese patients to be high-risk anesthesia candidates and more likely than nonobese patients to have tumors > 20 cm at surgery. Obese patients were not at greater risk of surgical or postoperative complications than were nonobese patients. CONCLUSION. Obesity is. not a risk factor for suboptimal surgical management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer.