Specialist surgery for ovarian cancer in England

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the 1999 national recommendations for ovarian cancer surgery in England to be performed by specialist surgeons in specialist centres.

A retrospective analysis of English cancer registry records, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data for all English NHS providers and General Medical Council (GMC) sub-specialty accreditation, to consider changes to the annual proportion of ovarian cancer (ICD10 C56-C57) patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery in gynaecological cancer centres (GCCs) or by specialist gynaecological oncologists (GOs).

From 2000 to 2009, 2428 consultants were responsible for surgery on 30,753 patients. There were significant increases in the proportions of patients undergoing surgery at GCCs (43% to 76%, P<0.001), by GMC accredited GOs (5% to 36%, P<0.001), and by high ovarian cancer caseload (≥18 cases) surgeons (22% to 56%, P<0.001).

There have been increased centralisation and specialisation of surgery for ovarian cancer patients since the NHS Cancer Plan (2000) and there has also been improved survival. However, by 2009, many ovarian cancer patients were still not receiving specialist surgery; the majority of patients were not operated on by GMC accredited gynaecological oncologists and there was considerable regional variation. Systems of accreditation should be reviewed and trusts should ensure that HES data accurately records clinical activity.