Contemporary surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors: A survey ofthe society of gynecologic oncologists

Objective. The objective of this study was to review the current practice p atterns regarding the surgical management of borderline ovarian tumors. Methods. A one-page survey was mailed to the members of the Society of Gyne cologic Oncologists (SGO), using the directory of the Society. The survey a ddressed the demographics of the respondent and the recommended staging pro cedure for presumed early-stage disease. Results. Of the 660 surveys mailed, 274 (42%) were returned, Ninety-seven p ercent (267/274) of respondents advocate surgical staging. Of this group, 9 6% (257/267) perform peritoneal washings, 97% (259/267) sample the omentum, and 92% (245/267) submit random peritoneal biopsies. Eighty-eight percent (235/267) perform lymph node sampling: paraaortic biopsies by 89% (210/235) and pelvic biopsies by 97% (228/235). Of this latter group, 91% sample the external iliac chain, 82% submit hypogastric nodal tissue, and 70% remove obturator lymph nodes. Conclusion. Diversity exists in the surgical management of borderline ovari an tumors among members of the SGO who responded to this survey. Efforts to ensure a consistent approach to the management of borderline ovarian tumor s are warranted. (C) 2000 Academic Press.