Purpose of review: The use of laparoscopic staging and/or surgery in the field of gynaecological oncology was pioneered in the early 1990s. The issue has been very controversial from the beginning, with some justification in view of the possible consequences of faulty cancer surgery. After more than 10 years, long-term follow-up and comparative studies, both of which are required in clinical oncological research, are now available.
Recent findings: A number of papers have confirmed the absence of significant adverse effects on survival after laparoscopic diagnosis or surgery in gynaecological cancers. New developments cover virtually all the basic techniques in cancer surgery, excluding major exenterative surgery. The use of an extraperitoneal technique for aortic dissections is emerging. New indications, such as radical vaginal trachelectomy, pelvic sentinel node identification, interval debulking surgery of adnexal malignancies, or the liberal use of surgical staging of uterine cancers, have been developed as a direct result of the availability of laparoscopic techniques.
Summary: Continuing worldwide interest clearly demonstrates that laparoscopic techniques are now part of the armamentarium of the gynaecological oncologist. Postoperative morbidity and recurrence risk do not seem to be affected. Cost-efficiency of laparoscopic procedures is based on the reduction of hospital stay. Combined training in gynaecological oncology and in laparoscopic surgery is, more than ever, mandatory as a means of avoiding the risk of inadequate staging or the mismanagement of pelvic malignancies. The diversity of techniques, including laparotomy, laparoscopy, and vaginal surgery, allows the individualization of surgical approaches, whereby tumour size and local or general conditions can be taken into account.