Ovarian Cancer in a Northern Italian Province and the Multidisciplinary Team

Simple Summary Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors in the world due to its clinical, biological, and molecular complexity. It is considered a silent killer due to the lack of specific symptoms that delay diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach can improve the prognosis both in terms of recurrences and death, especially in the first 24 months after diagnosis, by changing the type of treatment, reducing recurrences and mortality, or increasing survival. Ovarian cancer represents one of the most aggressive female cancers in the world, remaining a tumor with high lethality. This study aims to present how a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach can improve the prognosis in terms of recurrence and death of patients. In total, 448 ovarian cancer cases registered in an Italian Cancer Registry between 2012 and 2020 were included. Information on age, morphology, stage, and treatment was collected. Recurrence and death rates were reported 1 and 2 years after diagnosis, comparing MDT vs. non-MDT approaches. Ninety-three percent had microscopic confirmation, and most showed cystic-mucinous morphology. In total, 50% were older than 65 years old. The distribution by stage was 17.6%, 4%, 44.9%, and 32.6% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The women followed by the MDT were 24.1%. Disease-free survival 1-year post-diagnosis, recurrences, recurrences-deaths, and deaths were 67.5%, 14.5%, 8.4%, and 9.6%, respectively, better than the non-MDT group (46.2%, 13.2%, 20.8 %, and 19.8%, respectively) (p < 0.01). The same positive results were confirmed two years after diagnosis, particularly for stages III and IV. Albeit small numbers, the study confirms a better prognosis for women managed by MDT with fewer recurrences and deaths, especially within the first 24 months of diagnosis.

Automated summary

Ovarian cancer is a highly aggressive tumor with complex clinical and molecular characteristics, often diagnosed late due to lack of specific symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach can improve the prognosis by changing treatment, reducing recurrences and deaths, and increasing survival rates. This study demonstrates the benefits of a multidisciplinary team in managing ovarian cancer, showing lower rates of recurrences and deaths in patients.