Premium
The role of prophylactic oophorectomy in the avoidance of ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
Schwartz P.E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(92)90655-3
Subject(s) - medicine , hysterectomy , oophorectomy , ovarian cancer , obstetrics and gynaecology , gynecology , gynecologic oncology , gynecologic cancer , prophylactic surgery , ovary , obstetrics , cancer , general surgery , surgery , pregnancy , biology , genetics
OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of prophylactic oophorectomy at elective hysterectomy in the avoidance of ovarian cancer. METHOD: A survey was performed of all members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and all obstetrician‐gynecologists in the State of Connecticut. RESULT: Seventy‐nine percent of gynecologic oncologists and 72% of obstetrician‐gynecologists surveyed reported 0–1% of women would be saved from ovarian cancer if one ovary was removed at elective hysterectomy at age 45 years. If both ovaries were removed, 8.4% and 32.1% of these physicians respectively responded that 95–100% of women could be saved from ovarian cancer. Approximately 50% responded that macroscopic appearance and frozen section studies at surgery were helpful in deciding whether to remove ovaries at hysterectomy. A literature review suggested that 12% of ovarian cancers might be avoided if women undergo prophylactic oophorectomy at elective hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of well‐designed epidemiologic studies evaluating risk factors for ovarian cancer and the role of prophylactic oophorectomy at elective hysterectomy.