The Role of Ovarian Metastases in Colorectal Cancer: Findings and Treatments

About one in twenty women with colorectal cancer under the age of 55 will have metastases in the ovaries. More attention should therefore be paid to this specific patient group. That is what Dr. Richard van de Meer in his thesis ‘ROMIC, studies on the Role of Ovarian Metatstases in Colorectal cancer’, which he recently defended at the University of Maastricht.

In eight studies, Van der Meer describes the role of ovarian metastases in women with colorectal cancer. In it he draws the following conclusions:

More common in younger women

The metastases seem to affect patients under 55 more often, the proportion of patients with synchronous or metachronous metastases is around five percent.

HIPEC surgery

Dr. Van der Meer’s thesis shows that cytoreductive surgery (surgery in which all visible tumor tissue is removed) combined with HIPEC (heated chemotherapy that is pumped around the abdominal cavity) shows better treatment outcomes compared to surgery alone.

Preventive removal of ovaries: decision together

Van der Meer also concludes that women with colorectal cancer have a higher risk of ovarian cancer than women in the general population. Partly for this reason, the advantages and disadvantages of preventive adnexal extirpation (removal of the ovaries) are discussed in detail. This treatment can be offered to prevent metastases or a primary tumour. In women in the postmenopausal phase, twelve hospitals surveyed to the use of an information and choice module that promotes shared decision-making about this treatment. The results of the study are expected in 2025.

• Richard van der Meer defended his thesis on 11 May. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ignace de Hingh (Catharina Hospital Eindhoven), co-supervisors: Dr. Rudi Roumen (Máxima Medical Center Veldhoven), Dr. Felice van Erning (IKNL)
• Van der Meer, R. (2023). Romic: studies on the Role of Ovarian Metastases In Colorectal cancer. [Doctoral Thesis, Maastricht University]. Maastricht University.