Robotic secondary cytoreduction in recurrent ovarian cancer: a tailored approach for kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND

The rate of kidney transplantation has been steadily increasing worldwide, accompanied by significant improvements in post-transplant survival rates. However, transplant recipients have a higher incidence of malignancies compared with the general population, and their oncological management often poses unique challenges. In recent years, major advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) have expanded the therapeutic options available for recurrent disease. Two randomised trials have underscored the role of surgery in platinum-sensitive recurrent OC while minimally invasive approaches have demonstrated reduced morbidity without compromising oncologic outcomes in carefully selected patients. For frail and immunosuppressed individuals, the minimally invasive approach may offer substantial advantages- including fewer wound complications, shorter hospitalisation, and earlier resumption of oral intake and immunosuppressive therapy. Despite these potential benefits, evidence regarding the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive secondary cytoreduction in kidney-transplanted patients remains limited.

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate the feasibility and outcomes of robotic surgery in a platinum-sensitive OC recurrence in a frail, kidney-transplant patient.

PARTICIPANT: A woman in her 50s with a history of kidney transplantation presented with isolated pelvic high-grade serous OC recurrence. Positron emission tomography scan revealed a 15 mm solid lesion with increased uptake infiltrating the rectum.

INTERVENTION: A robot-assisted rectal resection was performed using the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System. The approach included four 8 mm robotic trocars: trans umbilical optical port, right and left iliac fossa, suprapubic region, and one 10 mm laparoscopic port at the left Palmer's point. Colorectal anastomosis was completed using the Ethicon Endo-Surgery 60 mm stapler by a specialised peritoneal and retroperitoneal team.

CONCLUSIONS

R0 resection was achieved with no complications or delays in immunosuppressive therapy resumption; final histology confirmed rectal involvement, and adjuvant chemotherapy was promptly initiated. At the two-year follow-up, the patient was disease-free.

WHAT IS NEW?: This case supports minimally invasive surgery as a valid approach in selected, frail, immunosuppressed patients with isolated OC recurrence.