Polish experts emphasize specialized centers are crucial for ovarian cancer patients, improving survival rates and quality of life.
Ovarian Cancer: A Significant Challenge
Ovarian cancer remains a major challenge in gynecological oncology, with 3,500-3,700 new cases diagnosed annually in Poland. Sadly, around 2,500 patients succumb to the disease each year, largely due to late diagnosis and advanced disease stages.
Professor Anita Chudecka-Głaz, President-Elect of the Polish Society of Oncological Gynecology, stresses the need for a highly specialized approach from the outset, with treatment occurring in dedicated centers experienced in advanced ovarian cancer care.
Treatment Outcomes Depend on Center Expertise
Survival rates and symptom management are significantly improved when patients receive care at specialized centers. European and American recommendations, alongside Polish guidelines, all highlight the importance of centralizing ovarian cancer treatment.
Access to surgical treatment, systemic therapy, high-quality histopathological analysis, and crucially, molecular testing, are essential components of effective care. The initial point of diagnosis heavily influences prognosis and treatment success.
Advancements in Ovarian Cancer Therapies
Oncologists have access to excellent therapies that extend progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. However, patient qualification for these treatments requires several factors to be met.
PARP inhibitor maintenance therapies are particularly promising, but require molecular diagnostics, appropriate monitoring, and imaging to optimize treatment decisions post-systemic therapy. These therapies have been available in Poland since 2016, initially for recurrent ovarian cancer, and now for patients completing first-line systemic treatment.
Establishing Specialized Cancer Centers
Professor Chudecka-Głaz advocates for the creation of dedicated gynecological oncology centers, including those specializing in ovarian cancer. This would ensure patients are automatically directed to appropriate care facilities, rather than searching independently.
A centralized referral system, linked to procedure reimbursement, is proposed. Centers demonstrating the necessary expertise would receive funding for ovarian cancer treatment, incentivizing specialization and improving patient outcomes. This project, encompassing ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, is reportedly well underway.
