OBJECTIVE: Follow-up after treatment for gynecological cancer demands large resources. There is a lack of evidence of efficacy. The aim of this survey was to explore follow-up routines and views on follow-up care among European experts in gynecological oncology. DESIGN: Web-based structured survey. SETTING: Survey distributed to members of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) and the Nordic Society of Gynecologic Oncology (NSGO). POPULATION: The study population comprised members of NSGO and ESGO. METHODS: An anonymous e-survey was sent with two additional reminders by e-mail through an electronic web-link to all members of both societies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surveillance routines. The clinical experts' evaluation of evidence and view of follow-up in hospitals vs. at general practitioners (GPs). RESULTS: The number of visits recommended by a majority of the responders was in line with current guidelines. The use of surveillance tests varied considerably. Significantly more responders from low economy countries preferred conventional hospital follow-up for all patients compared with responders from high economy countries, who considered follow-up by GPs adequate in low-risk groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up routines after gynecological cancer vary in Europe. According to the majority of the responders of this survey targeting European experts in gynecological oncology, follow-up by GPs may be an option for low-risk patients. New follow-up routines should preferentially be based on prospective trials comparing conventional follow-up of gynecological cancer patients with alternative methods of care, assessing survival, detection of recurrence, and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: Follow-up after treatment for gynecological cancer demands large resources. There is a lack of evidence of efficacy. The aim of this survey was to explore follow-up routines and views on follow-up care among European experts in gynecological oncology. DESIGN: Web-based structured survey. SETTING: Survey distributed to members of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) and the Nordic Society of Gynecologic Oncology (NSGO). POPULATION: The study population comprised members of NSGO and ESGO. METHODS: An anonymous e-survey was sent with two additional reminders by e-mail through an electronic web-link to all members of both societies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surveillance routines. The clinical experts' evaluation of evidence and view of follow-up in hospitals vs. at general practitioners (GPs). RESULTS: The number of visits recommended by a majority of the responders was in line with current guidelines. The use of surveillance tests varied considerably. Significantly more responders from low economy countries preferred conventional hospital follow-up for all patients compared with responders from high economy countries, who considered follow-up by GPs adequate in low-risk groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up routines after gynecological cancer vary in Europe. According to the majority of the responders of this survey targeting European experts in gynecological oncology, follow-up by GPs may be an option for low-risk patients. New follow-up routines should preferentially be based on prospective trials comparing conventional follow-up of gynecological cancerpatients with alternative methods of care, assessing survival, detection of recurrence, and quality of life.
Authors: David Cibula; Lukáš Dostálek; Jiri Jarkovsky; Constantijne H Mom; Aldo Lopez; Henrik Falconer; Anna Fagotti; Ali Ayhan; Sarah H Kim; David Isla Ortiz; Jaroslav Klat; Andreas Obermair; Fabio Landoni; Juliana Rodriguez; Ranjit Manchanda; Jan Kosťun; Ricardo Dos Reis; Mehmet M Meydanli; Diego Odetto; Rene Laky; Ignacio Zapardiel; Vit Weinberger; Klára Benešová; Martina Borčinová; Darwin Pari; Sahar Salehi; Nicolò Bizzarri; Huseyin Akilli; Nadeem R Abu-Rustum; Rosa A Salcedo-Hernández; Veronika Javůrková; Jiří Sláma; Luc R C W van Lonkhuijzen Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2021-10-16 Impact factor: 10.002