Published September, 2022
Study Utilizes Specialized Imaging and Molecular Profiling to Predict Complexity of Ovarian Cancer Surgery
An observational pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of molecular subtyping and imaging to predict disease resectability of the most common ovarian cancer histotype, high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), was recently published in Gynecologic Oncology.
Diogo Torres, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Ochsner Health, presented the results of this study as an oral presentation at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in Phoenix, AZ. He also co-authored the manuscript for the study, which included 129 patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer who underwent surgery and molecular profiling at Mayo Clinic between 2003 and 2011.
“During my fellowship at Mayo Clinic, I had the honor of participating in this special research to personalize the care for women with ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Torres. “When treatment for ovarian cancer is surgical, the goal is to remove all visible disease. There are multiple approaches used to predict resectability of disease. Most commonly we use computer tomography (CT) imaging scores, which are dependent on the location and size of the tumor. This is the first study that incorporates tumor biology to predict the resectability of ovarian cancer.”
The Mayo Clinic study concluded that patients with aggressive tumor biology and extensive disease on CT imaging are less likely to have successful disease resection, despite highly complex surgery. The study authors believe this combined approach to pre-operative diagnostics could improve treatment of primary ovarian cancer by avoiding procedures with a low possibility of success.
“Research of this type is vital for providing individualized care for patients with ovarian cancer, and I plan to continue my research efforts at Ochsner in collaboration with Mayo Clinic,” said Dr. Torres.
