Ovarian and cervical cancer clinical practice

  NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) is an academic consortium of oncology centers in the United States, working under the guidance of NCI (National Cancer Institute), representing the highest level of cancer research and treatment in the U.S. NCCN develops and regularly updates clinical practice guidelines every year. The NCCN develops and regularly updates clinical practice guidelines each year, and Zhang Hongxiu of the Department of Gynecology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University has established a database to collect clinical feedback and promote clinical application of the guidelines based on the feedback. The NCCN clinical practice guidelines in China are adapted from the NCCN version and endorsed by the NCCN as a result of the collaboration between the NCCN and Chinese experts in the field. However, clinical application should be judged and managed according to individualized principles.  The Chinese version of the NCCN clinical practice guidelines for cervical cancer and ovarian cancer was promoted in China in 2008, and was updated again in 2009. The updated contents were discussed by the Chinese and foreign NCCN expert groups on April 18, 2009.  1. Principles of chemotherapy: As a new addition, a footnote is added throughout the guideline, specifying that the principles of chemotherapy are applicable to ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer, and that the principles of chemotherapy should be handled differently for newly diagnosed patients and recurrent patients. The main principles are: patients should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials in all aspects of treatment; the purpose of chemotherapy should be discussed with patients before any treatment is initiated; patients should be required to have adequate organ function and physical status before chemotherapy is recommended; patients should be closely monitored during chemotherapy and any complications should be managed; blood biochemical tests should be performed at the appropriate time; and the dose of chemotherapy drugs should be reduced appropriately according to the patient’s toxicity and the purpose of treatment, After the completion of chemotherapy, patients need to be evaluated for chemotherapy response and monitored for long-term complications.  2. Initial chemotherapy: For stage II, III and IV ovarian cancer, considering that the lesion cannot be resected, the initial treatment is clearly defined as a total of 6-8 cycles of chemotherapy, and after 3-6 cycles of chemotherapy, surgery is considered to be completed and chemotherapy is given after surgery.  3. Chemotherapy for recurrent patients: After initial treatment, complete remission, but recurrence after discontinuation of chemotherapy was divided into < 6 months recurrence, 6-12 months recurrence and > 12 months recurrence, and the respective recurrence treatment options in each case. Among the acceptable chemotherapy regimens for relapsed patients, the preferred agents for cytotoxic therapy were divided into: platinum-sensitive combination chemotherapy; platinum-sensitive monotherapy; and platinum-resistant non-platinum monotherapy. Cisplatin/gemcitabine” and “pemetrexed” were added to the list of drugs of choice for cytotoxic therapy. Leuprolide and medroxyprogesterone acetate” were added to endocrine therapy. Bevacizumab was changed to be the drug of choice for targeted therapy.  4. Management of allergic reactions: Added as a new principle throughout the guideline as well as chemotherapy. Allergic reactions can be caused by platinum and paclitaxel drugs (but rarely by other drugs) and can be life-threatening. Reactions associated with paclitaxel or other paclitaxel drugs tend to occur in the first few cycles of treatment. Reactions related to platinum (carboplatin, cisplatin) are likely to occur after reapplication. The most common signs and symptoms of infusion reactions, patients at risk for infusion reactions, preparation for possible allergic reactions to infusions, and measures to be taken in the event of an infusion reaction are described.  5. Surgical principles: The surgical principles were clarified to apply to ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer. The surgical principles have been revised to differentiate between patients with (1) lesions confined to the ovaries or pelvis and (2) lesions involving the upper abdomen. Add as a footnote to the initial treatment: published data show that initial evaluation and tumor cytoreduction by a gynecologic oncologist can benefit patient survival.  6. Cytopathology as a diagnostic basis: In addition to previous surgery or biopsy as a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, this time definitive cytopathology can be used as a diagnostic basis.  For stage II, III and IV: “intermediate tumor cytoreductive surgery” for ovarian cancer was changed to “complete surgery” after 3-6 courses of chemotherapy, and intravenous paclitaxel/carboplatin was clarified for a total of 6-8 cycles.  Initial treatment for stage IB1 and IIA cervical cancer: The 2008 version of “radical hysterectomy + pelvic lymph node dissection” + para-aortic lymph node sampling” has been changed to “± para-aortic lymph node sampling”. In other words, for stage IB1 and IIA cervical cancer, para-aortic lymph node sampling can be performed selectively depending on the situation. The indications for radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 and IIA cervical cancer with preservation of fertility were expanded to include primary cervical tumor size lesions ≤ 4 cm, whereas in the past radical hysterectomy was limited to tumor size ≤ 2 cm. 2. Surgical treatment of recurrent cervical cancer: For patients with local/regional recurrence, the recommendation was increased to surgical resection if feasible.  3. Follow-up surveillance: Cervical/vaginal cytology was redefined, with follow-up every 3-6 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months for the third 5 years, and then annually.  4. Diagnosis: After the phrase “positive lymph nodes on CT, MRI and/or PET” for locally advanced cervical cancer, the group removed the phrase “fine needle aspiration biopsy if clinically indicated”.