The impact of extensive cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer on the
histopathology laboratory workload
histopathology laboratory workload
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
El-Masry, ANS
El-Bahrawy, MA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objectives:
Cytoreductive surgery is the principal management for ovarian cancer. Recently there has been
progressive change to more extensive cytoreductive surgery (ECS) as evidence shows this improves patient
prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the change in histopathology work load with change in surgical
practice for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients at Hammersmith Hospital, UK.
Materials and methods:
Specimens for patients with ovarian cancer (n=116) were selected and classified into
three groups: (i) standard debulking surgery; (ii) a mix of standard debulking and ECS and (iii) ECS only. The types
of specimens and numbers of blocks in each group were studied.
Results:
Post-hoc analysis demonstrates a statistically significant increase in the number of specimens per
case from standard debulking to the mixed group (p<0.0001) and to the ECS group (p<0.0001). There is also a
statistically significant increase in the number of blocks from standard debulking to the mixed (p<0.0001) and to the
ECS groups (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The study shows there is a significant increase in the histopathology workload with the shift from
standard to extensive cytoreductive surgery, as well as increase in the complexity and range of specimens sent for
histopathological examination. It is essential that centres opting for a shift to ECS ensure that adequate provisions
and resources are in place to accommodate these changes.
Cytoreductive surgery is the principal management for ovarian cancer. Recently there has been
progressive change to more extensive cytoreductive surgery (ECS) as evidence shows this improves patient
prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the change in histopathology work load with change in surgical
practice for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients at Hammersmith Hospital, UK.
Materials and methods:
Specimens for patients with ovarian cancer (n=116) were selected and classified into
three groups: (i) standard debulking surgery; (ii) a mix of standard debulking and ECS and (iii) ECS only. The types
of specimens and numbers of blocks in each group were studied.
Results:
Post-hoc analysis demonstrates a statistically significant increase in the number of specimens per
case from standard debulking to the mixed group (p<0.0001) and to the ECS group (p<0.0001). There is also a
statistically significant increase in the number of blocks from standard debulking to the mixed (p<0.0001) and to the
ECS groups (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The study shows there is a significant increase in the histopathology workload with the shift from
standard to extensive cytoreductive surgery, as well as increase in the complexity and range of specimens sent for
histopathological examination. It is essential that centres opting for a shift to ECS ensure that adequate provisions
and resources are in place to accommodate these changes.
Date Issued
2017-06-28
Date Acceptance
2017-06-19
Citation
Journal of Cytology & Histology, 2017, 8 (2)
ISSN
2157-7099
Publisher
OMICS International
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Cytology & Histology
Volume
8
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2017 El-Masry A, et al. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1000454