Reports

AIIMS Study Reveals Key Surgical Step Post-Chemotherapy Could Boost Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Published in the Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute on April 11, the research focused on 105 women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer treated at the Dr B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH) between 2012 and 2018. The findings revealed a five-year overall survival rate of 48.9 percent among those who underwent lymph node dissection.

• By PTI
• New Delhi
• Apr 15, 2025

Reports

A groundbreaking study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has found that the systematic removal of lymph nodes from the pelvis and the back of the abdominal wall after chemotherapy could significantly improve survival rates in patients battling advanced ovarian cancer.

Published in the Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute on April 11, the research focused on 105 women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer treated at the Dr B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH) between 2012 and 2018. The findings revealed a five-year overall survival rate of 48.9 percent among those who underwent lymph node dissection.

"This surgical intervention, though technically demanding, has the potential to transform outcomes for patients," said Dr M D Ray, lead investigator of the study and professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at IRCH, AIIMS. "Our research shows that removing these lymph nodes—even after chemotherapy—can make a critical difference. The nodes often remain active and may contribute to relapse if left behind."

Dr Ray explained that chemotherapy alone does not eliminate cancerous lymph nodes, which can serve as reservoirs for the disease and trigger recurrence. The study refers to these nodes as a 'safe haven' for residual cancer cells, underlining the importance of their removal.

The procedure, however, is not without complexity. “These lymph nodes lie in close proximity to major blood vessels linked to the heart, requiring advanced surgical skills and specialized training,” Dr Ray added.

To aid surgeons in executing the procedure more effectively, the study introduced the Nodal Cancer Index (NCI)—a tool designed to objectively identify and remove cancer-affected lymph nodes, potentially paving the way for better clinical outcomes.

Ovarian cancer, which has now become the third most common cancer among Indian women after breast and cervical cancers, is seeing a rising incidence, with nearly 100,000 new cases reported annually. Globally, it remains the most lethal form of gynecological cancer, often detected in its later stages, making treatment more complex.

Standard treatment typically involves cytoreductive surgery followed by systemic chemotherapy. However, this new evidence suggests that an additional surgical step targeting lymph nodes could redefine the gold standard for managing the disease.

With this landmark study, AIIMS has taken a major stride in redefining ovarian cancer treatment protocols and offering renewed hope to thousands of women affected by this aggressive disease.