Aim: The aim of this study was the assessment of incidence of the lymph node spread in patients with ovarian cancer. Additionally, some of clinical and histopathology factors, as well as patients age were analyzed in relation with lymph nodes metastases.
Material and method: Based on 112 operations performed in patients with ovarian cancer FIGO stage I-IV, analysis of pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis was carried out. In this group only in 70 patients paraaortic lymph nodes were removed. The rest of patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy only because of poor general condition or very intensive cytoreductive surgery. Statistical analysis was provided using unvaried regression test and Pearson test.
Results: In early stages of ovarian cancer (I and II) the percent of patients with involved lymph nodes was 17.4 and in advanced stages 37.9. Strong correlation between involvement of pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes was seen. The most frequent localization of lymph node metastases was the site around intercrossing of left renal vein and aorta. It should be stressed that in 8 cases isolated paraaortic metastases were seen. Risk factors of lymph node metastases were clinical stage, tumor grade and age of patients. Clear cell carcinoma and mixed carcinoma had also prognostic significance.
Conclusion: This analysis proved that incidence of lymph node metastases was high even in early stage, and therefore lymphadenectomy should be an integral part of standard surgical procedures in patients with ovarian cancer.