The role of surgery in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: A call to the scientific community

In the last decade, a growing attention has been focused on identifying effective therapeutic strategies also in the orphan clinical setting of women with platinum-resistant disease. In this context, secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) remains a potential approach only in women with platinum sensitive relapse, but experimental data have been published supporting the role of SCS also in patients with platinum-resistant recurrence. In particular, surgery is emerging as a potential option in specific subgroups of women, such as those patients with low-grade serous histology, or low-volume relapse with disease located in the so-called pharmacological sanctuaries. Furthermore, contrasting evidences have suggested a potential role in this clinical setting of SCS combined with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy. In this complex scenario we review here the available evidences regarding the role surgery in ovarian cancer patients with platinum resistant disease, trying also to understand which patients may benefit from this challenging, experimental approach.