Primary treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: how does the 'real world' practice?

Aims: This study evaluated primary treatment modalities in advanced ovarian cancer according to sociodemographic characteristics and characterized chemotherapy regimens used. Methods: This was a retrospective study of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer patients at two hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Results: Of 175 women, 41% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 59% received primary cytoreductive surgery. Within the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 23% did not have a surgical consultation prior to initiating treatment. Women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy lived closer to an academic center and more frequently received carboplatin/paclitaxel every 3 weeks. Cytoreductive surgery patients more frequently received intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Conclusion: The authors identified disparities in age, insurance, distance from treatment center and chemotherapy choice in the primary treatment for ovarian cancer.