Prognostic significance of lymphadenectomyin malignant ovarian sex cord stromal tumor: A retrospective cohort study and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymphadenectomy in malignant ovarian sex cord stromal tumor (SCST).

Methods

The medical records of patients with malignant ovarian SCST who underwent primary surgery from April 2005 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Qilu Hospital. A meta-analysis was performed by searching the PubMed and Embase database up to July 20, 2017. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by STATA statistical software version 19.0.

Results

Seventy-two patients with malignant SCST were identified in our institution. The mean age of the patients was 44.3years (range, 8–80years). Among the 72 patients, 69.4% had granulosa cell tumors (GCTs, n=50); 47.2% (n=34) underwent lymphadenectomy, and 52.8% (n=38) did not undergo the surgery. None of the lymph nodes had pathologically confirmed metastasis. No significant differences in overall survival of the patients with SCST or GCT were noted based on patient age, tumor size, surgery extent, or administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, except tumor stage (P=0.010 in SCTs and 0.029 in GCTs, respectively). Lymphadenectomy showed no statistically significant difference in overall survival of patients with SCST or GCT (P=0.734 and 0.079, respectively). In our meta-analysis, a total of 179 studies were identified through a search strategy, and 13 studies were included eventually; 3223 cases were identified, including those from our institution. The random-effects model was used because of moderate heterogeneity (I²=43.8%, P=0.040). The estimated pooled OR was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.57–1.31), indicating that lymphadenectomy has no statistical significance in improving overall survival in SCSTs (Z=0.68, P=0.496).

Conclusions

Tumor stage is the most important prognostic factor affecting SCST overall survival. There is no significant effect of lymphadenectomy in improving the overall survival of SCSTs. Lymphadenectomy is not recommended in initial staging surgery of SCST due to the extremely low lymph node metastasis rate.