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What do patients think about CA-125 monitoring in the follow-up? Results from a multicenter trial in 1,060 patients with ovarian cancer.

5522 Background: In the clinical day CA-125 monitoring is frequently used as a part of follow-up care for patients with ovarian cancer (OC). However, the potential benefit of CA-125 controls in the absence clinical symptoms are still unclear.There is little known about the expectations and preferences of patients with OC. Therefore we have initiated a multi-institutional survey.


METHODS
A semi-structered consisting 15 questions was developed in a pilot-study of 20 patients. After this validation all gynecological departments and gynecological-oncological practices were invited to participate in this trial using an anonynomous print version of the questionaire Results: Between December 2006 and December 2007 a total of 1,060 patients were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 58 years (range 16-87). 60% of the patients had primary ovarian cancer, 40% had relapsed ovarian cancer. Routine follow-up visits were mostly performed by gynaecologists in a gynaecological practice (56.9%) and in hospitals (49.5%). Patients were informed about the procedures and goals of cancer care predominantly after primary surgery (62.5%) and in 15.7% after last cycle of first-line chemotherapy. 7.7% declared that they were informed only at the first follow-up visit, 9.2% stated that they have never received any information about their cancer care management. According the patient´s opinion the main objective for the follow-up is the early detection of relapse and a prolongation of overall survival (95.8%). About more than 90% get CA-125 measurements. These were the procedures with highest anxiety but also the most important procedure for the patient. Finally, most patients (89%) were satisfied from their management of cancer care.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study is the largest survey about cancer care so far and provides several important data for physician-patient communication concerning the follow-up management of patients OC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.