Many Ovarian Cancer Patients Do Not Receive Recommended Treatment

Far too many women who suffer from ovarian cancer receive substandard treatment and therefore have lower survival rates than women who get the kind of care recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

That finding comes from a study that was recently presented at a Society of Gynecologic Oncology meeting in Los Angeles. The researchers analyzed the treatment received by more than 13,000 women with ovarian cancer between 1999 and 2006.

The researchers found that hospitals that treated a large number of patients and physicians who saw at least 10 ovarian cancer patients in a year were much more likely to deliver treatment that followed the established cancer care clinical guidelines.

By contrast, low-volume hospitals that saw fewer patients were less likely to deliver care according to the guidelines.

The researchers found that most of the women in the study were treated at low-volume facilities by doctors who had very little experience treating ovarian cancer.

The study indicates to the medical malpractice lawyers at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC that patients who receive the recommended care at high-volume hospitals may have a higher chance of survival. The researchers recommend that women with ovarian cancer clearly ask their doctors whether they follow the guidelines set by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

The Seattle medical malpractice lawyers at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC represent victims of medical negligence by doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel across Seattle.