Objectives. To evaluate the use of CA125 in the follow- up of women with epithelial ovarian cancer in the Cambridge Gynaecologic Oncology Centre. To institute changes depending on patients’ preferences. Methods. A pa...Objectives. To evaluate the use of CA125 in the follow- up of women with epithelial ovarian cancer in the Cambridge Gynaecologic Oncology Centre. To institute changes depending on patients’ preferences. Methods. A patient questionnaire was developed on follow- up, CA125 estimation and patient education in epithelial ovarian cancer and CA125. Initially, 100 patients were evaluated, and a change in practice was instituted. This was reevaluated using the same patient population. Results. 22/22 patients in clinic, and 68/78 patients who received the questionnaire by post, completed and returned it (n = 90). 81% wanted CA125 results available at clinic follow- up visits, with 82% willing to have the blood test done at their GP surgery before attending outpatients. CA125 follow- up practice was changed accordingly. This change was re- evaluated. A second questionnaire was sent to 35 surviving patients from the first cohort. 31/35 (90% ) responses were received. Five patients were either no longer on follow- up, being ≥ 5 years from completing their original treatment or were being monitored elsewhere, leaving an 87% response rate (26/30). 92.3% felt that having CA125 results available in clinic had enhanced the quality of their follow- up. Patient education and basic understanding of CA125 also improved, with 88.5% aware of its role. Conclusions. The availability of CA125 results when patients attend for routine follow- up has improved their overall management in our clinics. It has reduced patient and physician anxiety and unsatisfactory out- of- clinic telephone communication. We recommend this change of practice to all Gynaecologic Oncology Centres engaged in active routine follow- up of their patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.展开更多
文摘Objectives. To evaluate the use of CA125 in the follow- up of women with epithelial ovarian cancer in the Cambridge Gynaecologic Oncology Centre. To institute changes depending on patients’ preferences. Methods. A patient questionnaire was developed on follow- up, CA125 estimation and patient education in epithelial ovarian cancer and CA125. Initially, 100 patients were evaluated, and a change in practice was instituted. This was reevaluated using the same patient population. Results. 22/22 patients in clinic, and 68/78 patients who received the questionnaire by post, completed and returned it (n = 90). 81% wanted CA125 results available at clinic follow- up visits, with 82% willing to have the blood test done at their GP surgery before attending outpatients. CA125 follow- up practice was changed accordingly. This change was re- evaluated. A second questionnaire was sent to 35 surviving patients from the first cohort. 31/35 (90% ) responses were received. Five patients were either no longer on follow- up, being ≥ 5 years from completing their original treatment or were being monitored elsewhere, leaving an 87% response rate (26/30). 92.3% felt that having CA125 results available in clinic had enhanced the quality of their follow- up. Patient education and basic understanding of CA125 also improved, with 88.5% aware of its role. Conclusions. The availability of CA125 results when patients attend for routine follow- up has improved their overall management in our clinics. It has reduced patient and physician anxiety and unsatisfactory out- of- clinic telephone communication. We recommend this change of practice to all Gynaecologic Oncology Centres engaged in active routine follow- up of their patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
