Objectives

This study aims to describe the quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer after cytoreductive surgery until two year after surgery.

Methods

Data is derived from the PlaComOv-study, a single blinded randomized controlled trial with inclusions between 2018 and 2020. Women with FIGO stage IIIB–IV epithelial ovarian cancer were randomly allocated to have a CRS with or without the use of neutral argon plasma device. The QoL is measured pre-operatively, 4 weeks, 6, 12 and 24 months after CRS. Questionnaires of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and OV-28 and EQ-5D-5L are used.

Results

326 women were assigned to this trial. At baseline 286 (88%) women had completed QoL questionnaires. At 12 months 228 (80% of the patients alive) and at 24 months 137 (61% of all patients alive) provided QoL data. Complete CRS was the most independent predictor for a higher QoL at 12 months (76.4 vs 62.8 points; p<0.001). The mean global QoL score at 12 months was significantly higher in the PlasmaJet group than in the control group, corrected for surgical outcome (77.1 vs 70.7 points; p=0.023). The use of HIPEC or getting a stoma do not explain these differences.

Conclusions

Adjuvant use of the PlasmaJet during CRS for advanced-stage ovarian cancer resulted in a significantly higher QoL at 12 months after surgery. Complete CRS as surgical outcome is the most independent predictor for a higher QoL.