Patterns and Predictors of Genetic Referral among Ovarian Cancer Patients at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mallen AR1,2, Conley CC1, Townsend MK1, Wells A2, Boac BM2, Todd S1,2, Gandhi A2, Kuznicki M2, Augusto BM1, McIntyre M1, Fridley BL1, Tworoger SS1, Wenham RM1, Vadaparampil ST1.

Author information

1: Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.
2: University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

Abstract

Germline mutations (eg, BRCA1/2) have prognostic and treatment implications for ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients. Thus, national guidelines recommend genetic testing for OVCA patients. The present study examines patterns and predictors of genetics referral in OVCA patients. Electronic medical record data were abstracted retrospectively from 557 OVCA patients treated from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2015. Logistic regression models identified sociodemographic characteristics, disease/treatment characteristics, family history data, provider characteristics, and survival data that predicted genetics referral. Overall, 27.5% of patients received referral. Eleven variables predicting referral were selected during stepwise regression: younger age, White race, not having private insurance, professional school education, year of OVCA diagnosis, platinum sensitivity, female gynecologic oncologist, chemotherapy administered by a gynecologic oncologist, clinical trial enrollment, longer overall survival, and family history of OVCA. Genetics referral among OVCA patients was similar to rates reported nationwide. Unique predictive factors will contribute to quality improvement and should be validated at a multi-institutional level to ensure guideline concordant care is provided to all OVCA patients. Future research should identify both patient-level and provider-level factors associated with genetics referral. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.