Practice Patterns of Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Management in Korea

Objective: This study aims to evaluate practice patterns for managing hereditary ovarian cancer among Korean gynecologic oncologic physicians. Methods: Members of the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology participated in the inaugural Hereditary Gynecologic Cancer Symposium or were invited to this survey by e-mail from January to February 2016. The survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Most physicians (66.7%, 36/54) responded to draw a pedigree of patients with a family history. The rate of genetic test recommendations for patients at risk for ovarian cancer was high (96.3%, 52/54). Physicians tended to select appropriate candidates for the genetic test. Of the respondents, genetic counseling was commonly performed before the genetic test (76.6%, 36/47) and provided by the specialist consultant(s) (78.7%, 37/47) or the physician alone (12.8%, 6/47). Participants showed mature response to risk management for the BRCA carriers: at least annual gynecologic surveillance (89.4%, 42/47), recommendation for chemoprevention (76.6%, 36/47), and advice for risk-reducing salpingooophorectomy (85.1%, 40/47). Risk-reducing salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy as an alternative to risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was considered to recommend in most of respondents (91.5%, 43/47). Conclusions: Gynecologic oncologic physicians in Korea had high awareness to genetic risk assessment, candidate selection to genetic test, and risk-reducing strategies for the management of hereditary ovarian cancer.