Knowledge of tumor markers and the psychological consequences of tumor marker sampling in patients with gynecologic cancers.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of knowledge about serum tumor markers in patients suffering from gynecologic cancer.


METHODS
360 women with a median age of 60 years (range: 26-88 years) visiting the oncological outpatient clinic of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Vienna, between February and July 1998, were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire.


RESULTS
The majority of patients (85.2%) believed it was important to know about tumor markers and felt safe when they knew the recent level of the tumor marker (71.6%). On the other hand, many patients felt they were insufficiently informed (43%). 88.9% of the patients did not know the recent serum level of the tumor marker. The patients who had been informed by a physician were significantly better informed about tumor markers than women relying on other sources such as nurses, relatives or other patients (p < 0.001). Patients with an age of more than 65 years significantly less frequently knew the meaning of tumor markers (p < 0.001). Fewer women suffering from ovarian cancer were uninformed about tumor markers as compared to women suffering from other malignancies (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the majority of patients in oncological follow-up are interested in tumor markers and want to be informed about these substances. Periodical serum tumor marker sampling is regarded as a safety measure by patients, but information about tumor markers should be improved.
Mayerhofer
K
K
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria. klaus.mayerhofer@akh-wien.ac.at
Bodner
K
K
Aktas
C
C
Schindl
M
M
Kaider
A
A
Leodolter
S
S
Joura
E A
EA
Kainz
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor