Scientists from the University of Southern California have found that many patients with ovarian cancer can be treated surgically without chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Research published Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Seminoma is a slow-growing form of testicular cancer that, if left untreated, usually metastasizes to lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum. The standard treatment for patients at this stage is chemotherapy and radiation to shrink and destroy the cancerous lymph nodes. Although effective, these methods can lead to cardiovascular disease and secondary cancer.
As the scientists found, surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes in the retroperitoneal space is sufficient to cure most patients.
The study included 55 patients after testicular removal for a tumor. During the observation period, doctors performed 15 surgeries.
Cancer recurrence was seen in 20% of the patients. They were successfully treated with chemotherapy or additional surgery with 100% overall survival.
Scientists believe that surgical treatment could be an alternative to conventional treatment. After surgery, most patients were able to return home within 24 hours with little or no complications.
The authors noted that not all hospitals have the experience or resources to successfully perform such an operation.