Oncologic and fertility impact of surgical approach for borderline ovarian tumours treated with fertility sparing surgery

Background: Even if borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) in young women treated with fertility-sparing treatment (FST) have an excellent outcome, the type of surgery might affect relapse and fertility. We investigated the effect of surgical approach (open surgery vs. laparoscopy) and type of surgery (salpingo-oophorectomy [SO] vs. cystectomy [Cy]) on oncologic and fertility outcomes in patients with BOT. Patients and methods: Patients with BOT treated at San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, with FST in 1978–2013 period were included. Cox models, stratified by decade of surgery, were used to investigate the association between time to first recurrence or conception and clinical factors. Results: Among 535 patients included, 271 underwent unilateral SO and 264 underwent Cy. Median follow-up was 13.5 years. Ten-year (10-yr) recurrence rate was 23% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18–29%) for SO and 31% (95% CI: 24–38%) for Cy group (P = 0.10) in patients with unilateral tumour, whereas it was 62% (95% CI: 44–79%) and 72% (95% CI: 59–84%), respectively, (P = 0.35) in patients with bilateral tumour. Multivariable analysis showed no association between recurrence and surgical approach (P = 0.44), type of surgery (P = 0.06) and a negative association with advanced stage (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.18; 95% CI: 2.11–4.78; P < 0.001) and bilateral tumours (HR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.78–3.47; P < 0.001). Among 252 patients (47.1%) with pregnancy desire, multivariable analysis showed no association between conception success and the type of surgery, surgical approach, histology and tumour laterality. Fertility after surgery was positively associated with prior pregnancy (HR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.17–2.41; P = 0.005) and negatively associated with the number of surgical procedures (HR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.53–0.73; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The type of surgical procedures did not influence recurrence rate or fertility. However, additional surgical procedures decreased the fertility potential. These data can support clinicians in tailoring the best strategy for FST in young patients with BOT