FIGO position statement on opportunistic salpingectomy as an ovarian cancer prevention strategy https://tinyurl.com/4db8sj3y The importance of pre-cancerous change in the fallopian tubes as a precursor to ovarian cancer has  led to suggest that removal of the fallopian tubes at the time of other abdominal surgery is  a significant protective measure. Now FIGO ,  (The Internationa l Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) have  issued a position statement saying they firmly support this. Evidence for this position is linked to  pilot studies in Canada which showed significant reduction in subsequent ovarian cancer  rates  when the tubes were removed at the time of hysterectomy, (this is not usual pra ctice).  In addition ,  an Austrian study showed good acceptance of additional surgery .   W hen women facing gallbladder removal were offered tube resection ,  60% accepted .   T he  average increase in operating time was 13...

The impact of inter-cycle treatment delays on overall survival in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer https://tinyurl.com/mrxpksk9 Many patients with ovarian cancer have interruption of their chemo. This may occur because of adverse side effects of treatment,  or  external factors  such as other priorities  and  logistic issues. This interruption may cause anxiety which can be expressed as concern that the chemo is less effective. This retrospective study looked at more than 1500 women with advanced ovarian cancer first diagnosed  during the period 2015-2019. The two-year survival for women who had an  uninterrupted chemo  course was  compared to those whose chemo was unavoidably  disrupted. Disruption is common with 37% having breaks of at least 7 days . No difference in survival was seen in the two groups. Knowledge that chemo is just as effective despite interruption means that factors which affect the patient's quality of l i...

Study Finds Nearly $70 Billion in Socioeconomic Losses Across 11 Countries Attributable to Ovarian Cancer https://tinyurl.com/4spw37yz Ovarian cancer is extremely costly to the individual, the state and the family of each patient. This  study uses a true cost of illness app roach to assess the annual economic burden of each case of ovarian cancer in  high-, middle-, and low-income  countries. Factors included in this determination include cost of treatment , the opportunity cost of loss of productivity for the individual and the carers and t he  often-forgotten  cost of unpaid carer time. The sums are  mind-boggling  with an estimate of almost $70 Billion  total   annual  expenditure and indiv i d ual costs of  up to 120 times the usual health expenditure per capita for low-income countries . Obviously, there  is concern about whether this is sustainable and shows the urgent need to reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer.

Impact of metformin, statins, and beta blockers on survival in patients with primary ovarian cancer: combined analysis of four prospective trials of AGO-OVAR and ENGOT/GCIG collaborators https://tinyurl.com/597m54hb Anecdotal experience has previously suggested that off-label   use of s ome commonplace drugs may improve survival for patients with ovarian cancer . This meta-analysis of 4 prospective  randomised  t rials  looks at the effect of some of these . Data was obtained from the trials which recorded use of the  additional  drug tre atment. The prime purpose of the trial s  having been  assessment of efficacy of the enzyme inhibitor ,  Pazopanib . From the data ,  patients could be subdivided into two groups; those who had received  additio nal  drug therapy and those who had not. Finding from the results show that  use of o f f-label drugs was associated with great er  co-morbidity. Neither metformin  or ...

Incidental Findings of Borderline Ovarian  Tumo u r  or Ovarian Cancer -Real-World Data on Surgical and Oncological Outcome https://tinyurl.com/5n8284dj Sometimes ovarian cancer is found by chance during surgical procedures performed for other reasons. The standard of care for such cases is to undergo a repeat surgical procedure at a specialised surgical oncology centre.  This study looks at real-world cases and seeks to determine whether this course of action results in worse outcomes.  This retrospective survey of 390 patients at Bern Hospital  during a 10 - year period from 2010 showed 228 cases of either borderline ovarian  tumour or  ovarian cancer. The outcomes for these women were compared to those  for women who were known to have ovarian cancer prior to single stage surgery at the same centre. Apart from a small delay in starting chemo for those women who has a second operation ,  no  difference in outcomes which include morbidi...

Charlson’s comorbidity and remission outcomes in women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. https://tinyurl.com/2hmnmvp9 Any surgery carries risk. Complex surgery such as that required for total clearance of o varian cancer has a mortality of  4 % . For some women this risk is increased by pre-existing medical conditions known as comorbidity. This retrospective cohort study seeks to measure the risk inc rease in the presence of comorbidity. Using the Char l son  comorbidity index, which shows associated significant  pre-existing disease as a  risk factor, even the lowest measure at more than 1 significantly decreased the pro s pect of complete  remission  and survival  f rom  ovarian cancer. This means that patients who have one or more other major health issues are less likely to benefit from  intensive primary treatment and that maybe alternative therapy ,  such as maintenance  with personalised car e  should be consider...

LITERARY REVIEW OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN OVARIAN CANCER: TRANSFORMING DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND FUTURE ADVANCEMENTS https://tinyurl.com/yc85bx44 Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the management and improve survival for women with ovarian cancer. This review looks at what is possible now and what may be possible soon in the use of AI for this difficult disease. Increasingly women with ovarian cancer are receiving  personalised  therapy base on the genetic, metabolic, and systemic nature of their cancer. More and more information  caus e  problems  with the understanding of the relevance and interconnection of the data. The great strength of AI is the ability to quickly correlate information and suggest appropriate measures to address the correct therapy path. Using AI for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer will increase the sensitivity and avoid unnecessary intervention in some cases. Increasingly AI is being used for drug research, curre...