Dr. Comerci on the Use of Laparoscopy in Ovarian Cancer

John T. Comerci, MD, associate professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and director of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Passavant Hospital, discusses the use of laparoscopy in ovarian cancer.

Laparoscopy is generally used in the majority of patients who have a significant disease burden on a CT scan, says Comerci. However, if the CT scan reveals a large pelvic mass and omental cake without small bowel mesenteric involvement or diaphragmatic involvement, laparoscopic examination may not be necessary.

One of the advantages of laparoscopy, unlike surgical debulking, is that the procedure does not leave patients with a big incision, says Comerci. Additionally, patients do not have prolonged recovery times in the hospital and can start chemotherapy much more quickly, concludes Comerci.