DIFFERENT TYPES OF RUPTURE OF THE TUMOR CAPSULE AND THE IMPACT ON SURVIVAL IN EARLY OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

The significance of tumor spill in the early stages of ovarian carcino ma has been the subject of controversy. Since rupture of the capsule o f the tumor may occur in several different ways, we analyzed all cases of early ovarian cancer treated at Radiumhemmet, Stockholm, Sweden, d uring the period 1974-1986, in which possible spill of tumor cells was catalogued in different groups. In 247 out of 394 patients (62%) the risk of spill had to be considered. There was no difference in surviva l between patients whose tumors had intact capsules and patients in wh om rupture occurred during surgery-78% and 85%, respectively. On the o ther hand, a significant difference in survival was found between pati ents in whom rupture occurred before surgery and those with intraopera tive rupture-59% and 85%, respectively. The conclusion can be drawn th at manipulation during surgery which results in puncture or rupture do es not have a negative influence on the outcome for the patients.