Patients' and oncologists' views on the treatment and care of advanced ovarian cancer in the UK: results from the ADVOCATE study
Menée par enquête auprès de 66 oncologues et 202 patientes, cette étude britannique analyse leurs points de vue et leurs expériences relatifs aux traitements d'un cancer de l'ovaire de stade avancé ainsi qu'aux soins de support
Background: Most patients presenting with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) eventually relapse. Symptom palliation, maintenance of quality of life (QoL) and prolongation of life are primary therapeutic goals. Methods: Sixty-six UK oncologists completed an online survey about AOC management. Two hundred and two patients were interviewed about care, treatment experiences and expectations. Results: Prior to diagnosis, 34% (69 out of 202) of women had 3 symptoms associated with AOC. Twenty-one per cent (43 out of 202) thought poor symptom recognition by general practitioners (GPs) delayed diagnosis. Amelioration of side effects experienced was variable, for example, only 54% (68 out of 127) distressed by alopecia had received sufficient information about it. Clinicians were asked ‘What minimum gain in progression-free survival (PFS) would make you feel it worthwhile to offer maintenance therapy?’; 48% (24 out of 50) indicated 5–6 months, but 52% (26 out of 50) believed patients would find PFS of 3–4 months acceptable. When patients were presented with hypothetical scenarios, 33% (52 out of 160) would require 1–2 months extra life, 6% (10 out of 160) 3–4 months, 31% (49 out of 160) 5–6 months, and 31% (49 out of 160) 7 months. However, 86% (173 out of 202) would accept treatment that improved QoL without prolongation of life. When asked what was most important, 33% (67 out of 201) said QoL, 9% (19 out of 201) length of life and 57% (115 out of 201) said both were equally important. Conclusion: Clinicians’ and patients’ experiences, expectations and priorities about OC management may differ