TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychological impact of referral to an oncology hospital on patients with an ovarian mass
AU - Lof, Pien
AU - Engelhardt, Ellen G.
AU - van Gent, Mignon D. J. M.
AU - Mom, Constantijne H.
AU - Rosier-van Dunné, Fleur M. F.
AU - van Baal, W. Marchien
AU - Verhoeve, Harold R.
AU - Hermsen, Brenda B. J.
AU - Verbruggen, Marjolijn B.
AU - Hemelaar, Majoie
AU - van de Swaluw, Jojanneke M. G.
AU - Knipscheer, Haye C.
AU - Huirne, Judith A. F.
AU - Westenberg, Steven M.
AU - van Driel, Willemien J.
AU - Bleiker, Eveline M. A.
AU - Amant, Frédéric
AU - Lok, Christianne A. R.
N1 - © IGCS and ESGO 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
PY - 2022/12/13
Y1 - 2022/12/13
N2 - Objectives In patients with an ovarian mass, a risk of malignancy assessment is used to decide whether referral to an oncology hospital is indicated. Risk assessment strategies do not perform optimally, resulting in either referral of patients with a benign mass or patients with a malignant mass not being referred. This process may affect the psychological well-being of patients. We evaluated cancer-specific distress during work-up for an ovarian mass, and patients' perceptions during work-up, referral, and treatment. Methods Patients with an ovarian mass scheduled for surgery were enrolled. Using questionnaires we measured (1) cancer-specific distress using the cancer worry scale, (2) patients' preferences regarding referral (evaluated pre-operatively), and (3) patients' experiences with work-up and treatment (evaluated post-operatively). A cancer worry scale score of ≥14 was considered as clinically significant cancer-specific distress. Results A total of 417 patients were included, of whom 220 (53%) were treated at a general hospital and 197 (47%) at an oncology hospital. Overall, 57% had a cancer worry scale score of ≥14 and this was higher in referred patients (69%) than in patients treated at a general hospital (43%). 53% of the patients stated that the cancer risk should not be higher than 25% to undergo surgery at a general hospital. 96% of all patients were satisfied with the overall work-up and treatment. No difference in satisfaction was observed between patients correctly (not) referred and patients incorrectly (not) referred. Conclusions Relatively many patients with an ovarian mass experienced high cancer-specific distress during work-up. Nevertheless, patients were satisfied with the treatment, regardless of the final diagnosis and the location of treatment. Moreover, patients preferred to be referred even if there was only a relatively low probability of having ovarian cancer. Patients' preferences should be taken into account when deciding on optimal cut-offs for risk assessment strategies.
AB - Objectives In patients with an ovarian mass, a risk of malignancy assessment is used to decide whether referral to an oncology hospital is indicated. Risk assessment strategies do not perform optimally, resulting in either referral of patients with a benign mass or patients with a malignant mass not being referred. This process may affect the psychological well-being of patients. We evaluated cancer-specific distress during work-up for an ovarian mass, and patients' perceptions during work-up, referral, and treatment. Methods Patients with an ovarian mass scheduled for surgery were enrolled. Using questionnaires we measured (1) cancer-specific distress using the cancer worry scale, (2) patients' preferences regarding referral (evaluated pre-operatively), and (3) patients' experiences with work-up and treatment (evaluated post-operatively). A cancer worry scale score of ≥14 was considered as clinically significant cancer-specific distress. Results A total of 417 patients were included, of whom 220 (53%) were treated at a general hospital and 197 (47%) at an oncology hospital. Overall, 57% had a cancer worry scale score of ≥14 and this was higher in referred patients (69%) than in patients treated at a general hospital (43%). 53% of the patients stated that the cancer risk should not be higher than 25% to undergo surgery at a general hospital. 96% of all patients were satisfied with the overall work-up and treatment. No difference in satisfaction was observed between patients correctly (not) referred and patients incorrectly (not) referred. Conclusions Relatively many patients with an ovarian mass experienced high cancer-specific distress during work-up. Nevertheless, patients were satisfied with the treatment, regardless of the final diagnosis and the location of treatment. Moreover, patients preferred to be referred even if there was only a relatively low probability of having ovarian cancer. Patients' preferences should be taken into account when deciding on optimal cut-offs for risk assessment strategies.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85146016722&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36600495
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2022-003753
DO - https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2022-003753
M3 - Article
C2 - 36600495
SN - 1048-891X
VL - 33
SP - 74
EP - 82
JO - International journal of gynecological cancer
JF - International journal of gynecological cancer
IS - 1
ER -