The role of laparoscopy in the treatment of early ovarian carcinoma.

Laparoscopic management of early ovarian cancer (EOC) has constituted a controversial issue since it was first described. Recent data reinforced the arguments supporting the use of laparoscopy in the management of EOC. Advances in laparoscopy have enabled surgeons to meet the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics' criteria for staging of EOC. Although most study results are encouraging, the sample size is still too small to be able to draw definite conclusions. Frequently cited concerns such as accuracy of staging, intraabdominal tumor rupture and port site metastasis should not be used as arguments against laparoscopic management of EOC. Clinical evidence is clearly in favor of a larger role for laparoscopy in the management of EOC. This should encourage studies with larger sample sizes to confirm the validity of laparoscopic management of EOC.