Impact of lymphadenectomy rates in the quality assurance program in early ovarian cancer of the AGO Study Group – Real-world observations

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • for the AGO Study Group - (Author)
  • Pauline Wimberger - , Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (Author)
  • Jacobus Pfisterer - , Gynecological Oncology Gynecology and Obstetrics Kiel (Author)
  • Andreas du Bois - , University of Duisburg-Essen (Author)
  • Felix Hilpert - , Jerusalem Hospital (Author)
  • Markus Kerkmann - , MMF GmbH (Author)
  • Jalid Sehouli - , Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Author)
  • Sven Mahner - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Nikolaus de Gregorio - , SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn GmbH (Author)
  • Lars Hanker - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein - Campus Lübeck (Author)
  • Florian Heitz - , University of Duisburg-Essen (Author)
  • Frederik Marmé - , University of Mannheim (Author)
  • Linn Wölber - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Laura Holtmann - , MMF GmbH (Author)
  • Gabriele Elser - , AGO Research GmbH (Author)
  • Philipp Harter - , University of Duisburg-Essen (Author)

Abstract

Objectives: The German quality assurance program (QS-Ovar) representatively documents treatment and survival for patients with the initial diagnosis of primary ovarian cancer in the third quarters of 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021. We evaluate lymphadenectomy (LNE) rates in dependence on histologic subtype and outcome for early ovarian cancer FIGO I. Methods: Therapy quality was defined according to national guidelines. Surgical quality was categorized as “optimal“ (SUR+: maximum 1 surgical item missing), versus “suboptimal“ (SUR-); analogous categorization “optimal“ systemic treatment (CT+) and “suboptimal“ (CT-). Results: Overall, 832 pts. (19.3 %) were diagnosed with FIGO I, of them 47.6 % with FIGO IC, 35.7 % had a high-grade serous subtype, 5.0 % low-grade serous, 6.9 % low-grade endometrioid, 18 % high-grade endometrioid, 11 % clear cell, and 18 % mucinous tumors. The optimal surgical standard increased from 21.1 % (2004) to 53.0 % (2012). Surgical quality has remained unchanged in 2021 with 53.8 % and SUR + -subgroup with 74.2 %. The rate of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy increased over time for high-grade serous and clear cell carcinoma and decreased for mucinous carcinoma. In 2021, 67.6 % had ≥25 resected lymph-nodes in high-grade serous, 46.2 % in low-grade serous, 52.2 % in high-grade endometrioid, 35.3 % in low-grade endometrioid, 74.1 % in clear cell and 35.7 % in mucinous tumors. In 2021, the SUR+/CT + -subgroup decreased to 62.9 % versus 69.2 % in 2016. Four-year-disease-free-survival was 86 % for SUR+/CT+, 78 % for SUR-/CT+, 68 % for SUR+/CT- and 57 % for SUR-/CT- (p < 0.001). Conclusions: One therapy modality cannot replace another one. Although urgently required, quality of therapy has not improved in 2021.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number109696
JournalEuropean journal of surgical oncology
Volume51
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas