Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer

Primary radical surgery of ovarian carcinoma determines the future course of the disease, and thus also the outcome of the patient. Postoperative residual tumor is one of the most important prognostic factors. The overriding aim is complete removal of the tumor. A high level of surgical expertise, an interdisciplinary team and optimal postoperative intensive care are indispensable prerequisites for the best possible surgical treatment of ovarian carcinoma. Neither chemotherapy nor any other measures are capable of rescuing a suboptimal postoperative situation. (orig.)