The absence of a reliable noninvasive means of detecting persistent clinically occult ovarian
cancer is the basis for performing repetitive operative procedures, usually called a second-
look. Although controversy persists regarding whether second-look surgery contributes to an
improved survival, it is well established that the second-look findings are of prognostic value.
Patients with no pathologic evidence of tumor at second-look surgery (negative second-
look) are much more likely to experience a prolonged disease-free interval than are patients …