(i) Diagnostic laparotomy or laparoscopy |
Exploration performed at any time in the course of ovarian cancer to obtain a histological diagnosis. |
A second-look surgery is performed in patients who are clinically, biochemically, and radiologically free of disease after completion of chemotherapy with the purpose to confirm the response status. |
(ii) Staging laparotomy |
Surgery performed in patients with clinically early ovarian cancer aiming at the detection of tumor spread. |
(iii) Primary cytoreductive surgery |
Surgery with the aim of complete resection of all macroscopic tumor in patients with first diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer before any other treatment (e.g., chemotherapy). |
(iv) Secondary surgery/Interval debulking |
Surgery performed in patients usually after 3 cycles of chemotherapy, with an attempt to remove any remaining tumor, which has not been eradicated by chemotherapy. |
(v) Surgery for progressive ovarian cancer |
Surgery with the purpose of removing obviously resistant tumors, which have not responded to chemotherapy and progressed during primary chemotherapy. |
(vi) Surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer |
Surgery aiming for complete resection for all macroscopic tumor in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer after completion of primary therapy including a subsequent period without any signs of disease. |
(vii) Palliative surgery |
Surgery performed in patients with symptoms caused by progressive disease or sequelae aiming to relieve symptoms and not towards survival prolongation. |