Significance of Ultra-Radical Surgery in Extensive Metastatic Ovarian Growing Teratoma Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the perioperative risks and outcomes of ultra-radical surgery in patients with extensive metastatic ovarian growing teratoma syndrome (GTS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with extensive metastatic ovarian GTS treated in our hospital between 2000 and 2022. Patients’ clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Overall, 13 patients were identified, and the median age at diagnosis of ovarian immature teratoma (IT) was 24 years (range: 5–37). The median interval between IT diagnosis and presenting GTS was 8 months (range: 2–60), with a median surgery delay of 5 months (range: 3–300). Peritoneum and liver were the most commonly affected sites (100%), followed by bowel (12 patients, 92.3%), diaphragm (12 patients, 92.3%), adnexa (9 patients, 69.2%), omentum (8 patients, 61.5%), uterus (7 patients, 53.8%), in the descending order. The mean operation time was 316 min (range: 180–625), and the mean blood loss volume was 992 mL (range: 200–5,000). Peritoneal metastasectomy (13 patients, 100%), diaphragmatic metastasectomy (12 patients, 92.3%), metastasis removal from the bowel (8 patients, 61.5%), partial hepatectomy (4 patients, 30.8%), bowel excision and anastomosis (1 patient, 7.7%) were also applied to achieve optimal debulking. R0 was achieved in 9 (69.2%) patients. A high rate of intraoperative blood transfusion (8 patients, 61.5%) and admission to the intensive care unit (9 patients, 69.2%) were observed, and the median postoperative hospitalization time was 8 days (range: 4–22). After a median follow-up of 3.3 years, 9 patients were free of disease, and 4 were alive with stable residual diseases. Conclusion: The survival outcomes in extensive metastatic ovarian GTS were satisfactory after ultra-radical surgery, while a proper therapeutic plan should be established due to the high perioperative risks.