University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher J. Michael Straughn Jr., M.D., associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented several studies at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.
In one study, Straughn and his team examined the impact and utilization of palliative and supportive services in end-of-life care in gynecologic oncology patients. They found that earlier referrals to palliative and supportive care could decrease the number of hospital admissions and procedures while providing invaluable support during the end-of-life transition.
In a second study, Straughn found that patients with advanced uterine papillary serous carcinoma who are platinum-sensitive can expect to have longer progression-free survival, and overall survival.
Another presentation evaluated the cost-effectiveness of selective lymphadenectomy versus routine lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial cancer. Straughn’s research team found a strategy of selective lymphadenectomy based on intraoperative risk factor for managing patients with endometrial cancer was less effective and more costly than routine lymphadenectomy.
The annual SGO meeting featured more than 400 scientific presentations that focused on emerging science, clinical trials and treatment in the field of gynecologic oncology. Abstracts from the meeting can be found at www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00908258.