The utility and cost of routine follow-up procedures in the surveillance of ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma: a 16-year institutional review

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) progressive disease cases identified via routine follow-up procedures and the corresponding cost throughout a 16-year period at a single medical institution. METHODS: Previously undiagnosed epithelial ovarian (n = 241), PPC (n = 23), and concurrent ovarian and uterine (n = 24) cancer patients were treated and then followed via CA-125, imaging (e. g., CT scan, chest X-ray), physical examination and vaginal cytology. RESULTS: In the group of 287 patients, there were 151 cases of disease progression. Serial imaging detected the highest number of progressive disease cases (66 initial and 45 confirmatory diagnoses), but the cost was rather high ($13 454 per patient recurrence), whereas CA-125 testing (74 initial and 20 corroborative diagnoses) was the least expensive ($3924) per recurrent diagnosis. The total cost of surveillance during the 16-year period was nearly $2 400 000. CONCLUSION: Ultimately, serial imaging and the CA-125 assay detected the highest number of ovarian cancer and PCC progressive disease cases in comparison to physical examination and vaginal cytology, but nevertheless, all of the procedures were conducted at a considerable financial expense. British Journal of Cancer (2010) 103, 1657-1662. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605963 www.bjcancer.com Published online 2 November 2010 (C) 2010 Cancer Research UK