A systematic review and case report looked at port-site metastases (PSM) after diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. PSM means cancer cells grow at the surgical port sites. The review included five studies and one case report from specialized centers.
The chance of PSM varied a lot, from about 1% to 47%. This wide range is likely due to different ways doctors looked for the metastases. Risk factors for PSM included advanced cancer stage, large amounts of abdominal fluid, and widespread disease.
Importantly, having PSM did not seem to directly shorten overall survival. Instead, PSM appeared to be a sign of more aggressive cancer biology. Routine removal of the port sites helped control local disease but increased wound problems without improving survival.
The case report described a late, large port-site metastasis that could not be surgically removed. The review concludes that laparoscopy remains a safe and cost-effective tool in specialized centers when done as part of a standard surgical plan.