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Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in the Netherlands: a population-based study on treatment patterns and outcomes

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Abstract

Information on treatment patterns for ovarian cancer (OC) is limited. The aim of this study was to describe current patterns of chemotherapy and other systemic treatments for OC in the Netherlands and evaluate survival outcomes following subsequent lines of treatment. Data from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, including on newly diagnosed cancer patients, were linked to the PHARMO Database Network, including information on in- and out-patient drug use. Patients diagnosed with OC between January 2000 and December 2010 were selected. An algorithm was used to identify separate lines of treatment. Data were studied descriptively. Detailed data on systemic drug use were available for 261 patients (17%) with OC. In first-line treatment, 87% of the patients (227/261) received platinum-based chemotherapy. Of the 161 patients receiving second-line treatment, 101 patients (63%) received platinum-based chemotherapy. In third line, this was 51% (53/103). The median number of treatment lines received by patients was two (interquartile range 1–3), and eight or more lines of chemotherapy were identified for 12 patients. Median survival from diagnosis onwards was 47 months from the end of first-line treatment, median survival was 32 months, and from the end of second-line treatment, it was 14 months. Predominantly beyond second-line treatment, there is much variety in treatment patterns with chemotherapy for OC. Although uncertainty remains regarding the desirability of this observed treatment variation, there seems a need for detailed clinical guidance, assuring that physicians can properly choose the most suitable treatment for each patient.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the healthcare providers contributing information to the PHARMO Database Network. Furthermore, the authors thank all contributors from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry for their assistance and for granting access to the Eindhoven Cancer Registry.

Funding

For the conduction of this scientific work, the PHARMO Institute for Drug Outcomes Research was financially supported by AstraZeneca.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PHARMO Institute for Drug Outcomes Research, Van Deventerlaan 30-40, 3528 AE, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    E. Houben, J. A. Overbeek & M. P. P. van Herk-Sukel

  2. AstraZeneca BV, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

    H. G. M. van Haalen & W. Sparreboom

  3. Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    H. G. M. van Haalen & J. L. Severens

  4. Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    N. P. M. Ezendam

  5. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    N. P. M. Ezendam

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. M. A. Pijnenborg

Authors
  1. E. Houben
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  2. H. G. M. van Haalen
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  3. W. Sparreboom
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  4. J. A. Overbeek
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  5. N. P. M. Ezendam
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  6. J. M. A. Pijnenborg
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  7. J. L. Severens
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  8. M. P. P. van Herk-Sukel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Houben.

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Conflicts of interest

The PHARMO Institute for Drug Outcomes Research was financially supported by AstraZeneca for the conduct of this scientific work. EH, JO and MvH are employees of the PHARMO Institute. This independent research institute performs financially supported studies for government and related healthcare authorities and several pharmaceutical companies. HvH and WS are employed by AstraZeneca. HvH is affiliated to the Erasmus University Rotterdam, Institute of Health Policy & Management, by means of a PhD-hospitality agreement. JS’ supervision of HvH is compensated by AstraZeneca based on an unrestricted supervision grant to his institution. The authors declare no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this work.

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Houben, E., van Haalen, H.G.M., Sparreboom, W. et al. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in the Netherlands: a population-based study on treatment patterns and outcomes. Med Oncol 34, 50 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-017-0901-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-017-0901-x

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