Ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer: Prognostic role of prophylactic oophorectomy. A single center experience

Background: The incidence of ovarian metastases (OM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is uncommon but women with OM from CRC had poorer quality of life and decreased survival. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively categorized women submitted to surgery for CRC from January 2004 to December 2012 considering previous mono- or bilatcral-oophorectomy, oophorectomy performed during colorectal resection, and oophorectomy performed after surgery for CRC and its cause. The analysis focused on two groups: women who underwent surgery for CRC before menopause and after menopause. Survival outcome in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease- free survival (DFS) were assessed and appearance of OM was also evaluated. Results: In postmenopausal women with CRC who underwent left hemicolectomy or anterior resection of the rectum the incidence of OM was 4 % with a statistical significance {p < 0.05). The mean OS of patients with metachronous OM was 26 months and the patients' age ranged from 60 to 70 years. Conclusion: The authors suggest prophylactic oophorectomy in postmenopausal women with an age between 60 and 70 years with cancer of left colon or rectum; in these patients there was an increased risk of metachronous OM with related decrease of OS.