Laparoscopic Staging of Borderline Ovarian Tumors A Fertility Conscious Approach to Precision Surgery

Introduction:

Understanding Borderline Ovarian Tumors

  • Typically diagnosed in women around age 40
  • Histologically distinct from benign and malignant tumors
  • Often present with symptoms similar to other adnexal masses: pelvic pain, irregular menses, and abdominal pressure
  • Found unilaterally in most cases, though 30% of serous types appear bilaterally

Laparoscopic Staging: Technique and Considerations

  • Preoperative Assessment:
    BOT diagnosis begins with pelvic imaging (TVS or MRI), CA 125 biomarker evaluation, and thorough medical history.
  • Surgical Approach:
    • Conservative (for fertility preservation): unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or cystectomy
    • Radical: Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH + BSO) with omentectomy and biopsies
    • Omentectomy technique involves infracolic resection preserving gastroepiploic vessels
  • Frozen Section Evaluation:
    Guides intraoperative decisions; crucial for differentiating BOTs from invasive tumors

External Medical Reference Integration

Fertility Preservation Insights

  • BOT patients desiring fertility should be counseled on options such as oocyte/embryo freezing.
  • Conservative surgery is viable even in bilateral involvement, but it demands careful follow-up.
  • Post-surgical conception is encouraged sooner to reduce recurrence-related complications.

Key Surgical Criteria and Outcomes

  • Tumor Size: Lesions >8 cm correlate with higher malignancy risk
  • Histologic Subtype: Micropapillary, endometrioid, and clear cell patterns require aggressive staging
  • Recurrence Risk: Higher with cystectomy vs. salpingo-oophorectomy
  • Lymphadenectomy: Generally not necessary; contributes minimally to prognosis

Further Reading and Resources

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