Ovarian cancer specialist centres NSW
Criteria for Gynaecological Oncology Specialist Centres
The Cancer Institute NSW is working with local health districts, the Gynaecological Oncology Network at the Agency for Clinical Innovation, and the NSW Ministry of Health to improve outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This includes developing criteria to identify specialist gynaecological oncology centres in NSW.
Currently, a centre is classified as a specialist gynaecological oncology centre if there is (1-6):
- a certified gynaecological oncologist
- an appropriate multidisciplinary cancer care team available
- adherence to guidelines for the delivery of care
- availability of medical oncology services
- availability of radiation oncology services
- adequate annual surgical caseload
- participation in research and clinical trials.
Criteria for Specialist Networked Hospitals
Specific hospitals across NSW are currently networked with specialist gynaecological oncology centres for surgery of ovarian cancer. These are classified as Specialist Networked Hospitals.
A hospital is classified as specialist networked hospital for provision of ovarian cancer surgery if it meets all the following criteria:
- it is linked to one of the specialist gynaecological oncology centres that meets the criteria outlined above
- it utilises the associated specialist multidisciplinary cancer care team (MDT)
- it has a certified gynaecological oncologist performing surgery
Certified gynaecological oncologists
Surgery for ovarian cancer requires a gynaecological oncologists and team of health care professionals with suitable experience performing this surgery and providing supportive care after surgery.[7]
In Australia, certified gynaecological oncologists have completed training in Gynaecological Oncology offered by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. This is a three year program that focusses on the diagnosis and management of cancers of the female reproductive tract, with at least two of these years spent working in gynaecological oncology units.
Multidisciplinary cancer care team
Treatment for ovarian cancer can be complex and generally consists of surgery with or without chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or targeted therapy.
The involvement of a multidisciplinary cancer care team is required. This team brings together health care professionals from different specialties to discuss a patient’s cancer diagnosis and staging, and their treatment options. It also enhances communication and care co-ordination between the specialists involved in a patient’s care.[8]
International studies show that patients overseen by a multidisciplinary cancer care team experience better outcomes after cancer treatment.[9-10]
Actions for Health Professionals
Patient referral
Patients with a suspected or confirmed ovarian cancer should be referred to a specialist who is a member of a multidisciplinary cancer care team and practices at one of the specialist centres listed below.
Even if surgery does not seem likely at the time of referral, involvement of a multidisciplinary cancer care team early in the cancer journey is recommended to ensure optimal assessment, care, and outcomes.
The Canrefer website allows you to find cancer specialists who are MDT members, and has information about cancer services, optimal care pathways, and patient resources.
Smoking cessation support
Evidence suggests that tobacco cessation following cancer diagnosis improves survival. It also reduces treatment-related complications.[13–14] Health professionals should discuss tobacco use with all patients and provide appropriate cessation support.
List of specialist gynaecological oncology centres and networked hospitals for ovarian cancer surgery
| Local Health District | Specialist Centre Hospital | Specialist Networked Hospitals(s) | Multidisciplinary care team |
|---|---|---|---|
Hunter New England | John Hunter Hospital | Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Lingard Private Hospital Newcastle Private Hospital | Hunter New England Gynaecological Cancer MDT |
Northern Sydney | Sydney Adventist Hospital | N/A | Sydney Adventist Hospital Gynaecological Cancer MDT
|
Northern Sydney | Royal North Shore Hospital | Mater Hospital North Sydney North Shore Private Hospital | |
South Eastern Sydney | Royal Hospital for Women | N/A | |
South Eastern Sydney | St George Hospital | St George Private and Medical Centre | |
South Western Sydney | Liverpool Hospital | N/A | Liverpool- Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre Gynaecological Cancer MDT |
Sydney | Chris O'Brien Lifehouse | Prince of Wales Private Hospital Canberra Hospital | |
Western Sydney | Westmead Hospital | Westmead Private Hospital | Western Sydney Local Health District Gynaecological Cancer MDT |
Codes
- In-scope procedures: 35637-10, 35638-02, 35638-03, 35638-11, 35638-12, 35638-13, 35653-02, 35653-03, 35653-04, 35661-00, 35664-00, 35664-01, 35667-00, 35667-01, 35670-00, 35673-00, 35673-01, 35673-02, 35713-07, 35713-11, 35713-14, 35717-01, 35717-04, 35717-05, 35753-00, 35753-01, 35753-02, 35756-01, 35756-02, 35756-03, 90328-00, 90328-01, 90448-02, 90450-00, 90450-01, 90450-02
- Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer is a collaboration between John Hunter Hospital and the Calvary Mater Hospital Newcastle.
- Woo YL, et al. Centralisation of services for gynaecological cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012. 3:Cd007945.
- Bristow RE, et al. Adherence to treatment guidelines for ovarian cancer as a measure of quality care. Obstet Gynecol, 2013. 121(6):1226–1234.
- Cliby WA, et al. Ovarian cancer in the United States: contemporary patterns of care associated with improved survival. Gynecol Oncol, 2015. 136(1):11–17.
- Mercado C, et al. Quality of care in advanced ovarian cancer: the importance of provider specialty. Gynecol Oncol, 2010. 117(1):18–22.
- du Bois A, et al. Variations in institutional infrastructure, physician specialization and experience, and outcome in ovarian cancer: a systematic review. Gynecol Oncol, 2009. 112(2):422– 436.
- Fung-Kee-Fung M, et al. Organisational guideline for gynaecological services in Ontario, in Program in Evidence-based Care. 2013, Cancer Care Ontario: Toronto, Ontario.
- Department of Health and Human Services. Optimal care pathway for women with ovarian cancer. State Government of Victoria, Melbourne. 2015.
- Junor EJ, et al. Management of ovarian cancer: referral to a multidisciplinary team matters. Br J Cancer, 1994. 70(2):363-70.
- Shylasree TS, et al. Survival in ovarian cancer in Wales: prior to introduction of all Wales guidelines. Int J Gynecol Cancer, 2006. 16(5):1770-6.
- Guppy AE, et al. Epithelial ovarian cancer: a review of current management. Clin Oncol, 2005. 17(6):399-411.
- Karam-Hage M, et al. Tobacco use and cessation for cancer survivors: an overview for clinicians. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014. 64(4):272-90.
- Warren GW, et al. The biological and clinical effects of smoking by patients with cancer and strategies to implement evidence-based tobacco cessation support. Lancet Oncol. 2014. 15(12):e568-80.
- Florou AN, et al. Clinical significance of smoking cessation in subjects with cancer: a 30-year review. Respir Care. 2014. 59(12):1924-36.
