Purpose of review: The aim of this review is to determine, in the light of recent evidences, the role of lymphadenectomy in ovarian cancer.
Recent findings: The lymphadenectomy in ovarian neoplasms (LION) trial reports no better outcomes and higher complication and mortality rates associated with lymphadenectomy. Even if performed by expert hands, lymphadenectomy has a cost in terms of longer operative time, blood loss, higher rates of transfusions, and intensive unit care. If on the one hand retroperitoneal staging is not correlated to survival benefits both in early and advanced ovarian cancer, on the other hand it is associated with an increased surgery-related morbidity. Surgical treatment of isolated nodal recurrences seems to be feasible and associated with survival benefits.
Keywords: Lymphadenectomy; Nodal metastasis; Nodal recurrences; Ovarian cancer; Prognostic factor; Surgical-related morbidity.