Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing

Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing

Published on: September 15, 2023

Treatment patterns and associated factors in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a population-based

Myrte Zijlstra^1,2,3, Maite Timmermans^1,4, Heidi Fransen^1,3

¹Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands.

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer : Official Journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society

|July 3, 2019

Abstract

Objectives:

A significant proportion of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer receive no cancer-directed treatment and limited research has been devoted to this group. This population-based study aimed to gain insight into treatment patterns and trends in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in the Netherlands and the main reasons for deciding for no cancer-directed treatment.

Methods:

All patients diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification IIB-IV, between 2008 and 2016 were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Trends in the number of patients receiving cancer-directed treatment were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with no cancer-directed treatment. The main reasons for no cancer-directed treatment were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 9303 patients were included, of whom 14% (n=1270) received no cancer-directed treatment while 67% (n=6218) received a combination of cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Some 15% (n=1399) received chemotherapy only, and 4.5% (n=416) surgical resection or hormonal therapy only. The proportion of patients receiving no cancer-directed treatment was higher in 2014-2016 (16%, n=496/3175) compared with 2008-2010 (11%, n=349/3057, p<0.001). Associated factors with no cancer-directed treatment were higher age, FIGO stage IV, lower socioeconomic status, co-morbidity, and more recent years of diagnosis (p<0.001). Main reasons for no cancer-directed treatment were patient's choice (40%) and poor condition of the patient (29%).

Conclusions:

The proportion of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer not receiving cancer-directed treatment has increased in the last decade in the Netherlands. Patient's choice was the main reason for the decision to undergo no cancer-directed treatment, which indicates patient involvement in the decision-making process. The second most common reason for no cancer-directed treatment was poor condition of the patient, which might indicate careful selection of patients for treatment. Decision-making regarding treatment is well-considered, but more insight is needed, especially from the patient's perspective.

Keywords:

medical oncology ovarian neoplasms palliative care quality of life (pro)/palliative care surgical oncology

More Related Videos

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Published on: August 17, 2010

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Published on: August 28, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors

Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors

Protein-drug binding, a pivotal aspect of pharmacokinetics, is subject to considerable variability influenced by an array of patient-related factors. The intricate interplay of age, individual differences, and pathological conditions significantly impact the binding dynamics and subsequent pharmacological effects.
Age stands as a key determinant in protein-drug binding. Neonates, characterized by low albumin content, experience heightened concentrations of unbound drugs such as phenytoin and...

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...

Population Growth

Population Growth

Population size is dynamic, increasing with birth rates and immigration, and decreasing with death rates and emigration. In ideal conditions with unlimited resources, populations can increase exponentially, which plots as a J-shaped growth rate curve of population size against time. This type of curve is characteristic of newly-introduced invasive species, or populations that have suffered catastrophic declines and are rebounding.

What is Population Genetics?

What is Population Genetics?

A population is composed of members of the same species that simultaneously live and interact in the same area. When individuals in a population breed, they pass down their genes to their offspring. Many of these genes are polymorphic, meaning that they occur in multiple variants. Such variations of a gene are referred to as alleles. The collective set of all the alleles within a population is known as the gene pool.

Conservation of Small Populations

Conservation of Small Populations

Small population sizes put a species at extreme risk of extinction due to a lack of variation, and a consequent decrease in adaptability. This weakens the chances of survival under pressures such as climate change, competition from other species, or new diseases. Large populations are more likely to survive pressures such as these, as such populations are more likely to harbor individuals that have genetic variants that are adaptive under new stresses. Small populations are much less...

What are Populations and Communities?

What are Populations and Communities?

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

International phase IV field study to validate the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire for assessing the health-related quality of life of cancer survivors: The EORTC QLQ-SURV100.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)·2026

Recruitment Strategies, Response Rates, and Non-Response Patterns in a Nationwide Registry-Based PRO Survey of Cancer Survivors and the General Population: The SURV-ICE Cohort.

Cancers·2026

Understanding Physical Activity in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Analysis Rooted in the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Psycho-oncology·2026

Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) for Patients With Metastatic Cancer and Treatment Response.

Psycho-oncology·2026

Country-of-birth disparities in high-grade endometrial cancer: A European-first population-based analysis on incidence, age at presentation, and survival in an equal-access health system in the Netherlands.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)·2026

Prevalence of concurrent severe self-reported late symptoms and functional limitations in cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study of sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle associations.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·2026

See all related articles