A study to evaluate the use of CA125 in ovarian cancer follow-up: A change in practice led by patient preference.
OBJECTIVE
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 re-evaluated 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 > or =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.
Palmer
Cheryl
C
Department of Oncology, Cambridge Gynae-Oncology Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Box 193, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. cherylannepalmer@doctors.net.uk
Pratt
Jennie
J
Basu
Bristi
B
Earl
Helena
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018394:CA-125 Antigen