The Role of Ultra-Radical Surgery in the Management of Advanced Ovarian Cancer: State or Art

The ovarian cancer, also known as “silent killer”, has remained the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. The single independent risk factor linked with improved survival is maximum cytoreductive effort resulting in no macroscopic residual disease. This could be gained through ultra-radical surgery which demands tackling significant tumour burden in pelvis, lower and upper abdomen which usually constitutes bowel resection, liver mobilisation, ancillary cholecystectomy, extensive peritonectomy, diaphragmatic resection, splenectomy, resection of enlarged pelvic, paraaortic, and rarely cardio-phrenic lymph nodes in order to achieve optimal debulking. The above can be achieved through a holistic approach to patient’s care, meticulous patient selection, and full engagement of the family. The decision needs to be carefully balanced after obtaining an informed consent, and an appreciation of the impact of such surgery on the quality of life against the survival benefit. This chapter will describe the complexity and surgical challenges in the management of advanced ovarian cancer.