Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery May Benefit Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer Patients
Doctors and patients alike can learn from Sehouli's work
The researchers hope that their findings can help other physicians caring for people with ovarian cancer. By investigating and providing evidence supporting certain treatment options versus others, doctors can feel more confident in managing their patients and recommending options that will truly benefit them in the long-term. In the case of an ovarian cancer patient who has relapsed, the situation is different because you are fearful that whatever had been done initially simply didn't work.
There is much more history of the person's disease that can muddle the decision-making process when trying to choose the best treatment. Dr. Sehouli wants to remind his colleagues and patients to always consider their unique story when making their decisions. In addition to knowing what treatments were used in the past, it's important to have an open communication about goals. Patients and doctors need to be working as a team with a common goal. Sometimes, that goal could be to cure the patient of cancer, or it could be to simply keep the patient comfortable. No matter what the goal is, it needs to be shared by the entire team. Knowing the goals of the patient and the reality of the situation can help both physician and patient make the best decisions for their particular circumstance.
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