Women's Health Highlights [4]: Ovarian Cancer - Recent Findings (continued)

Ovarian Cancer

* Study finds racial disparities in receipt of chemotherapy after ovarian cancer surgery.

Researchers examined 11 years of data for 4,264 women aged 65 or older who were diagnosed with stage IC-IV ovarian cancer (cancer in one or both ovaries with early signs of spreading) to examine receipt of chemotherapy, which is recommended following surgery to remove the cancer. They found that just over 50 percent of black women received chemotherapy following surgery, compared with nearly 65 percent of white women; survival rates did not differ between the two groups of women, but women in the lowest socioeconomic group were more likely to die than those in the highest group. Du, Sun, Milam, et al., Int J Gynecol Cancer 18(4):660-669, 2008 (AHRQ grant HS16743).

* One type of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer carries an elevated risk for hospitalization.

Researchers studied 9,361 women aged 65 and older who were diagnosed with stage IC to IV ovarian cancer between 1991 and 2002. Of the 1,694 patients who received nonplatinum chemotherapy, 8 percent were hospitalized because of a gastrointestinal ailment, compared with 6.6 percent of the 1,363 women who received platinum-based chemotherapy and 6.4 percent of the 3,094 women who received platinum-taxane therapy. Receipt of nonplatinum chemotherapy was also associated with a higher risk of hospitalization for infections, hematologic problems (e.g., anemia), and thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count). Nurgalieva, Liu, and Du, Int J Gynecol Cancer 19(8):1314-1321, 2009 (AHRQ grant HS16743).

* Less access to effective treatment may explain poorer survival of elderly black women with ovarian cancer.

Researchers studied 5,131 elderly women diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 1992 and 1999 with up to 11 years of followup. Overall, 72 percent of white women and 70 percent of black women were diagnosed with stage III or IV (advanced) disease, however, fewer blacks received chemotherapy than whites (50 vs. 65 percent, respectively). Among those with stage IV disease, those who underwent ovarian surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy were 50 percent less likely to die during the followup period compared with those who did not, regardless of race. Du, Sun, Milam, et al., Int J Gynecol Cancer 18:660-669, 2008 (AHRQ grant HS16743).

* Evidence does not support use of genomic tests to detect ovarian cancer.

According to this scientific review, there is no evidence relevant to the impact of genomic tests for ovarian cancer on health outcomes in asymptomatic women. The researchers used model simulations to predict the usefulness and efficacy of genomic tests for ovarian cancer. The model simulations suggest that annual screening, even with a highly sensitive test, will not reduce ovarian cancer mortality, and that frequent screening has a very low positive predictive value. Genomic Tests for Ovarian Cancer Detection and Management, Evidence Report/ Technology Assessment No. 145 (AHRQ Publication No. 07-E001)* (AHRQ Contract 290-02-0025).

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Women's Health Highlights: Recent Findings (continued)