Article Text
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine practice patterns for surveillance of primary ovarian cancer after complete response to therapy and to identify the percentage of clinicians who follow the surveillance guidelines endorsed by the Society for Gynecologic Oncology (SGO).
Methods This is a single-institution retrospective chart review of all patients with epithelial ovarian cancer with a complete response to primary therapy between January 2012 and January 2015. Descriptive statistics were performed due to the exploratory nature of the study.
Results CA-125 was followed in 48/50 (96%) of patients. Clinical follow up was scheduled according to SGO guidelines (defined as ± 1 month) in 82% of patients. Of those that were non-compliant, 3/9 were patient initiated and 6/9 were for unknown reasons. Scheduled imaging was ordered in 2% of patients, while imaging due to CA-125, symptoms, or both was performed in 32%, 28%, and 10% respectively. No imaging was performed in 22% of patients and 6% of patients had unknown reasons for imaging performed. Mean time to recurrence was 11.8 months, with 23/28 (82.1%) first detected by CA-125, 3.6% first detected by exam findings and 14.3% first detected by imaging. Stage and histology were not associated with noncompliance of frequency of surveillance.
Conclusions The vast majority of clinicians in our cohort are compliant with SGO guidelines regarding the use of routine imaging for surveillance of ovarian cancer, however, a significant percentage of patients are followed with clinical visits at a different frequency of that recommended by current guidelines.