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OBJECTIVE: Complication rates after cytoreductive surgery are important quality indicators for hospitals that treat patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Case-mix factors are patient and tumor characteristics that may influence hospital outcomes such as the complication rates. Currently, no case-mix adjustment model exists for complications after cytoreductive surgery; therefore, it is unclear whether hospitals are being compared correctly. This study aims to develop the first case-mix adjustment model for complications after surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer, enabling an accurate comparison between hospitals.METHODS: This population-based study included all patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer registered in the Netherlands in 2017-2019. Case-mix variables were identified and assessed using logistic regressions. The primary outcome was the composite outcome measure 'complicated course'. Patients had a complicated course when at least one of the following criteria were met: (1) any complication combined with a prolonged length of hospital stay; (2) complication requiring reintervention; (3) any complication with a prolonged length of stay in the intensive care unit; or (4) 30-day mortality or in-hospital mortality during admission following surgery. Inter-hospital variation was analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regressions and visualized using funnel plots.RESULTS: A total of 1822 patients were included, of which 10.7% (n=195) had a complicated course. Comorbidity and tumor stage had a significant impact on complicated course rates in multivariable logistic regression. Inter-hospital variation was not significant for case-mix factors. Complicated course rates ranged between 2.2% and 29.1%, and case-mix adjusted observed/expected ratios ranged from 0.20 to 2.67 between hospitals. Three hospitals performed outside the confidence intervals for complicated course rates. These hospi

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mucinous ovarian cancers (MOCs) are categorized into infiltrative and expansile subtypes. These subtypes have different characteristics and prognoses. Patients with clinical early-stage disease of both subtypes currently undergo surgical staging (peritoneal washing, biopsies, omentectomy). Peritoneal and lymph node metastases of expansile MOC are rare, but whereas lymph node sampling (LNS) is omitted in these patients, peritoneal staging is not. Therefore, we collected all available MOC data to determine whether staging surgeries could safely be omitted in clinical early-stage expansile and infiltrative MOC.RECENT FINDINGS: Current literature confirms that peritoneal metastases are rare in expansile MOC: more than 90% had early-stage disease. Only 3.4% of the patients with clinical early-stage expansile MOC had positive peritoneal washings at surgical staging. Patients with infiltrative MOC were diagnosed more frequently with advanced-stage disease (21-54%). Moreover, upstaging clinical early-stage infiltrative MOC based on positive cytology, peritoneum and omentum metastases occurred in 10.3% of the patients. Therefore, we recommend that patients with early-stage infiltrative MOC undergo peritoneal staging and LNS. However, in addition to omitting LNS, we can also safely recommend omitting peritoneal staging in patients with early-stage expansile MOC.SUMMARY: Peritoneal metastases are rare in clinical early-stage expansile MOC and peritoneal staging can therefore safely be omitted.

Objective. Decrease in skeletal muscle index (SMI) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been associated with worse outcome in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. To validate these findings, we tested if a decrease in SMI was a prognostic factor for a homogenous cohort of patients who received NACT in the randomized phase 3 OVHIPEC-trial.Methods. CT-scans were performed at baseline and after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage III ovarian cancer patients. The SMI (skeletal muscle area in cm(2) divided by body surface area in m(2)) was calculated using SliceOMatic software. The difference in SMI between both CT-scans (Delta SMI) was calculated. Cox-regression analyses were performed to analyze the independent effect of a difference in SMI (Delta SMI) on outcome. Log-rank tests were performed to plot recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). The mean number of adverse events per patient were compared between groups using t-tests.Results. Paired CT-scans were available for 212 out of 245 patients (87%). Thirty-four of 74 patients (58%) in the group with a decrease in Delta SMI and 73 of 138 of the patients (53%) in the group with stable/increase in Delta SMI had died. Median RFS and OS did not differ significantly (p = 0.297 and p = 0.764) between groups. Patients with a decrease in SMI experienced more pre-operative adverse events, and more grade 3-4 adverse events.Conclusion. Decreased SMI during neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with worse outcome in patients with stage III ovarian cancer included in the OVHIPEC-trial. However, a strong association between decreasing SMI and adverse events was found. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction Centralization has, among other aspects, been argued to have an impact on quality of care in terms of surgical morbidity. Next, monitoring quality of care is essential in identifying areas of improvement. This nationwide cohort study was conducted to determine the rate of short-term surgical complications and to evaluate its possible predictors in women with early-stage cervical cancer.Material and methods Women diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer, 2009 FIGO stages IB1 and IIA1, between 2015 and 2017 who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in 1 of the 9 specialized medical centers in the Netherlands, were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Women were excluded if primary treatment consisted of hysterectomy without parametrial dissection or radical trachelectomy. Women in whom radical hysterectomy was aborted during the procedure, were also excluded. Occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications and type of complications, developing within 30 days after surgery, were prospectively registered. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of surgical complications.Results A total of 472 women were selected, of whom 166 (35%) developed surgical complications within 30 days after radical hysterectomy. The most frequent complications were urinary retention with catheterization in 73 women (15%) and excessive perioperative blood loss >1000 mL in 50 women (11%). Open surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.42; 95% CI 1.73-6.76), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.45-6.79), vascular disease (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.07-3.38), and medical center (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.18-6.77) emerged as independent predictors of the occurrence of complications. Body mass index (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89-1.00) was found as a negative predictor of urinary retention. Open surgery (OR 36.65; 95% CI 7.10-189.12) and body mass index (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.08-1.22) were found to be independent predicto

IntroductionDespite renewed treatment options for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, survival remains poor. The Patient Association and the Gynecological Oncology Working Party in the Netherlands have identified a need for a tool to improve shared decision-making. The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based online decision aid for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and their medical team.MethodsFirst, we identified the patients' and clinicians' needs using surveys and in-depth interviews. Second, we conducted multidisciplinary face-to-face meetings with representatives from all stakeholders (clinicians and patient representatives) to determine the content of the decision aid. Third, we developed the decision aid using standardized criteria and national guidelines. Finally, we tested the usability of the tool with patients and clinicians who participated in the needs assessment.ResultsPatients and clinicians indicated the need for more sources of reliable information that include all treatment options available in the Netherlands. Although most interviewees were satisfied with the level of information available at the time of their own treatment, the majority (90%) of the patients stated that no choice of treatment was offered. We developed a consultation sheet and an online decision aid based on patient interviews and team discussions. The sheet contains a summary of all treatment options and login codes for the decision aid; it will be offered to patients at their first consultation. The decision aid can be used at home and includes information about epithelial ovarian cancer and all available treatment options and questions about quality of life and treatment preferences, delivering a personalized summary for discussion during the following consultation about the primary treatment choices.DiscussionIn cooperation with patients and clinicians, we developed a decision aid for advanced-stag

Background: Population-based data on borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are scarce and information regarding recent trends in incidence, treatment and survival is lacking. The purpose of this study was to analyze these trends in the Netherlands and to assess the risk of developing a subsequent invasive ovarian tumor. Material and methods: All consecutive patients diagnosed with BOTs between 1993 and 2016 (n = 7113) were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). Annual age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Relative survival (RS) analyses and multivariable analyses estimating excess mortality were conducted. Patients with a subsequent invasive ovarian tumor were identified by the NCR. Results: Age-adjusted incidence increased from 2.1/100,000 person-years in 1993 to 4.2/100,000 in 2011, after 2011 the incidence declined. The proportion of bilateral tumors decreased over time from 16% in 1993-1998 to 11% in 2005-2010 and remained stable onwards. Survival improved over time (excess mortality ratio(adjusted) 2011-2016 versus 1993-1998: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.13-0.47). Five-year RS increased from 91% in 1993-1998 to 98% in 2011-2016 and 10-year RS from 88% in 1993-1998 to 96% in 2005-2010. Fewer patients were treated with chemotherapy (4.4% in 1993-1998 versus 0.7% in 2011-2016). During a median follow-up time of 8 years, 0.9% developed a subsequent invasive ovarian carcinoma. Conclusions: The incidence of BOTs increased over time from 1993 until 2010 but declined since 2011. This decline may be partly due to changes in the classification of gynecological tumors, as serous BOTs are now more often diagnosed as low grade serous ovarian cancers. Survival is high and has improved since 1993. The risk of a subsequent invasive ovarian carcinoma seems low.

Background: While many cancer survivors experience persistent impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for extended periods of time, others recover soon after treatment. The aim of this research is to assess changes in health-related quality of life in endometrial and ovarian cancer survivors during two years post initial treatment, and to assess clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with those changes.Methods: This prospective population-based cohort study includes longitudinal data of endometrial (N=221) and ovarian (N=174) cancer survivors diagnosed between 2011 and 2014. The EORTC QLQ-C30 functioning scales were used to assess HRQoL after initial treatment and after 6, 12 and 24months. Clinical (stage, treatment and comorbidities) and sociodemographic (age, marital status and socio-economic status) characteristics were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and through self-administered questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to assess changes in HRQoL over time and characteristics associated with these changes.Results: Among both endometrial and ovarian cancer patients, HRQoL improved within the first 6months after initial treatment. Changes in HRQoL were mainly associated with clinical characteristics including comorbidities, treatment and tumor stage, and to a lesser extent with sociodemographic characteristics such as socioeconomic status. However, these associations varied per tumor type. Endometrial cancer survivors, who received radiotherapy and had no comorbidities, reported greater improvements in some HRQoL scales over time. Ovarian cancer patients who received chemotherapy and with advanced tumor stages reported poorer functioning during treatment. Most functioning domains (global health, physical and role functioning) recovered to levels of patients without chemotherapy or with early-stage disease after 12months, but cognitive and social functioning remained impaired.Conclusion: Some subgroups of patien

Objectives: Discordance between frozen section diagnosis and the definite histopathological diagnosis and the fact that the frozen section result is not always unambiguous, may contribute to differences in clinical practice regarding perioperative treatment and follow-up of borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) patients amongst gynaecologic oncologists, which may lead to over-and undertreatment. The aim of the study was to map the Dutch gynaecologists' preferred treatment and follow-up strategy in case of BOTs.Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all Dutch gynaecologists involved in ovarian surgery with perioperative frozen section analysis, and the outcomes were assessed using descriptive statistics.Results: Nearly half of the respondents (41.0%) would not perform a staging procedure in case of a BOT. In case of an ambiguous frozen section diagnosis, tending towards invasive carcinoma, a considerable number (sBOT 56.4%; mBOT 30.8%) would perform a lymph node sampling as part of the staging procedure. A relaparotomy/relaparoscopy, to perform a lymph node sampling in case of a serous or mucinous carcinoma after a BOT frozen section diagnosis, would be performed by 97.4% and 48.7% of the respondents, respectively.Conclusions: A considerable number of gynaecologists would perform a staging procedure that is recommended for ovarian cancer in case of an ambiguous BOT frozen section diagnosis, especially for serous tumours. In addition, nearly all gynaecologists would perform a second procedure including a lymph node sampling in case of a serous invasive carcinoma after a BOT frozen section diagnosis, which applies to half of the gynaecologists in case of a mucinous carcinoma.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of survivorship care plan (SCP) provision and moderating factors on health care use following endometrial cancer treatment. Women newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer were included in a pragmatic cluster randomized trial at 12 hospitals in the Netherlands and were randomly assigned to SCP or usual care (n = 221; 75% response). The SCP was generated using the web-based Registrationsystem Oncological GYnecology (ROGY) and provided tailored information regarding disease, treatment, and possible late-effects. Cancer-related use of general practitioner, specialist, and additional health care was collected through questionnaires after diagnosis and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up and compared using linear multilevel regression analyses. Women who received an SCP had more cancer-related primary care visits compared to the usual care arm during the first year after diagnosis (beta = 0.7, p < 0.01). At 6-month follow-up, women in the SCP group used more additional health care compared to women receiving usual care (24 vs. 11%, p = 0.04). Women with anxious symptoms (p = 0.03) and women who received radiotherapy (p = 0.01) had a higher primary care use within the first year after treatment, when receiving an SCP. The SCP increases primary health care consumption the first year after treatment, particularly in women treated with radiotherapy and women with anxious symptoms. These findings imply that the SCP enables women in need of supportive care to seek relevant care at an early stage after treatment. Whether this results in improved patient-reported outcomes in the long-term needs to be further studied.

The Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) is commonly used to diagnose adnexal masses. The aim of the present study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of the RMI compared with subjective assessment (SA) by an expert and the following novel ultrasound models:- Simple rules (SR) added by SA (SR + SA);- SR with inconclusive results diagnosed as malignant (SR + Mal);- Logistic Regression model 2 (LR2); and- Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model.Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses were performed from a societal perspective. A decision tree was constructed, and short-term costs and effects were examined in women with adnexal masses. Sensitivity, specificity and the costs of diagnostic strategies were incorporated. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were expressed as costs/additional percentage of correctly diagnosed patients. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed.Effectiveness was highest for SA (90.7% [95% confidence interval = 77.3-100]), with a cost saving of 5.0% (-(sic)398 per patient [-(sic)1403 to 549]) compared with the RMI. The costs of SR + SA were the lowest ((sic)7180 [6072-8436]), resulting in a cost saving of 9.0% (-(sic)709 per patient [-(sic)1628 to 236]) compared with the RMI, with an effectiveness of 89.6% (75.8-100). SR + SA showed the highest probability of being the most cost-effective when willingness-to-pay wasAlthough SA is the best strategy in terms of diagnostic accuracy, SR + SA might be preferred from a cost-effectiveness perspective. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.