Preventive/Prophylactic Removal of Ovaries and Tubes
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. In spite of all the advances, screening for and detection of ovarian cancer in it's early stages remains elusive. Lifelong risk of developing a nonhereditary ovarian cancer is 1 in 70 (as compared to 1 in 7 for breast cancer). Unfortunately, this risk may be up to 1 in 2 in patients afflicted with certain gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. This hereditary ovarian cancer comprises 10-15 percent of all ovarian cancers.

Preventive/prophylactic removal of ovaries and tubes in this high-risk population can decrease the threat of ovarian cancer by 80 percent, and the threat of breast cancer by 40 percent.

Traditional surgery by removal of ovaries and tubes involves a large incision in the abdomen. This results in significant pain as well as inpatient stay of 2-3 days and additional recovery of 4-6 weeks.

Minimally invasive surgery for BSO involves only a quarter to one half inch incision in the abdomen, much less pain and only 1-2 weeks of recovery at home.

The precision of the surgical technique is very important, since leaving even a small fraction of an ovary behind may result in development of ovarian cancer caused by gene mutation. Laparoscopy provides better visualization and close up of the surgical area which facilitates accuracy of the operation and avoidance of complications.

Usually prophylactic BSO should be done at the onset of menopause, which generally occurs during your early 50's, but can be performed earlier.