Objective   This study analyzed the effects of clinical and pathological factors on surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

  Methods  Univariate and multivariate step-wise logistic regression analyses were used to compare clinical and pathological factors that influenced the effects of cytoreductive surgery on 60 cases with recurrent EOC.

  Results  The overall median survival time of the 60 patients with recurrent EOC was 26 months (95% CI: 18.302 to 33.698 months). The median survival time in the patients treated by optimal cytoreductive surgery was 28 months (95% CI: 25.043 to 30.957months). By contrast, the median survival time in the patients treated by suboptimal cytoreductive surgery was 16 months (95% CI: 13.184 to 18.816 months) (P=0.002). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the recurrence number, relapse with ascites, and the recurrence site are factors of the surgical effects for recurrent EOC (P < 0.05). However, no relationships were observed among the following factors: age, initial surgery, pathological type, grade of tumor ceils, FIGO (International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology) stage, initial chemotherapeutic program, recurrence time since the last chemotherapy, recurrent CA125 level, largest recurrence lesion, and prior chemotherapy (P > 0.053). The logistic regression revealed that the recurrence number, recurrence site, relapse with aseites, and age are significant factors that gradually influence the effects of surgery for recurrent EOC.

  Conclusion  Multiple clinical and pathological factors will affect the results of surgery for recurrent EOC., The number and site of recurrence, as well as the age and relapse with ascites are independent risk factors.