Sunday, 9 February 2020

Ovarian Cancer

Elective oophorectomy (EO)or ovarian conservation at the time of benign hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery performed in US after cesarean section.
There is considerable debated going on between EO and ovarian conservation, with strong statements are put forward in favor of each. Currently ACOG recommends “strong consideration should be made for retaining normal ovaries in premenopausal women who are not at increased genetic risk of ovarian cancer. [However,] given the risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, ovarian removal at the time of hysterectomy should be considered for these women.”
Elective oophorectomy or ovarian conservation at the time of benign hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery performed in US after cesarean section.  According to CDC data approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year. A nationwide studyfurther reported that unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy was performed in 68 percent of women at the time of abdominal hysterectomy, 60 percent at laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 26 percent at vaginal hysterectomy.

Women have an option of undergoing elective oophorectomy (EO) along with benign hysterectomy to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, thereby reducing a chance of second surgery coupled with decreased perceived   anxiety of breast and ovarian cancer subsequently.But there are negative side effects of this surgical induced menopause such as death, total cancer mortality, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, decreased sexual drive and increased cardiac mishap support conservation of ovarian function.

There is considerable debated going on between EO and ovarian conservation, with strong statements are put forward in favor of each. Currently ACOG recommends “strong consideration should be made for retaining normal ovaries in premenopausal women who are not at increased genetic risk of ovarian cancer. [However,] given the risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, ovarian removal at the time of hysterectomy should be considered for these women.”

Arguments in favor of ovarian conservation:

EO is detrimental for the overall health of women and decreases the life expectancy due to coronary artery disease. In a landmark study by Parker et al using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the National center for Health Statistics, the Women’s Health Initiative, and the National Inpatient Sample it was seen that there is no clear cut benefit of EO at any age and women died early due to associate morbidity.
The neuroprotective benefits of estrogen were seen in multiple studies and was further supported by declining cognitive functions specially in women undergoing EO under 50 yrs.
EO leads to increase in hip fracture due to decrease in BMD as estrogen levels plummet. This was specifically seen in the light of mass discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy among postmenopausal women when results of Women’s Health Initiation trial published.
A decrease in sexual desire and function, resulting in quality of life issues and conflict in interpersonal relationship, depression was seen after oophorectomy

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