Improving health facilities and services

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 69 views

Profile of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Sufferers at Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital from 2018-2021

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the ovaries or ovaries of women, and it is a leading cause of death among women worldwide. According to data from 2020, there were 313,959 new cases of ovarian cancer reported globally, making it the eighth most common type of cancer among women, with a mortality rate of 207,252. In Indonesia, the number of cases is significantly lower, with 14,896 new cases reported in 2020, making it the third most common type of cancer among women, with a mortality rate of 9,581. Ovarian cancer often does not show symptoms in the early stages, and signs of late disease and lack of appropriate examination often result in diagnosis at an advanced stage. This level of cancer's recurrence increases with the increase in the stage of disease.

The Importance of Understanding Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Understanding the profile of recurrent ovarian cancer sufferers is crucial in developing effective treatment and prevention strategies. By knowing the characteristics of patients who are more likely to experience recurrence, healthcare providers can design targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes. This study aims to explore the profile of recurrent ovarian cancer patients at the Adam Malik Hajj General Hospital during the 2018 to 2021 period.

Research Methodology

This study employed a descriptive approach using a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique used was non-probability sampling with a type of consecutive sampling. The data used in this study were secondary data obtained from observations of medical records of recurrent ovarian cancer patients at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital, Medan.

Results

The results of this study showed that 69% of recurrent ovarian cancer patients came from North Sumatra Province but lived outside the city of Medan. Around 73% of patients were in the age group 41-60 years, and 54% of them were multiparous. As many as 77% of patients were at an advanced stage, and 96% had epithelial cancer. In terms of treatment, 85% of patients underwent optimal debulking surgery, and 85% of them received a long timely chemotherapy. Finally, 46% of patients experienced recurrence in the span of 1-2 years after treatment.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

From the results of this study, it can be seen that the majority of recurrent ovarian cancer patients in the General Hospital of Adam Malik Hajj are adult women with a range of 41-60 years. This shows that ovarian cancer is more susceptible to attacking women in the reproductive and postmenopausal phases, where hormonal changes and genetic factors can play an important role in the development of this disease.

The presence of patients who mostly originated from outside the city of Medan showed a potential lack of accessibility to adequate health services. This can be a concern for the government and the hospital to improve health facilities and services to be more easily accessible by the people in the regions.

The higher cancer stage and the dominant type of epithelial cancer indicate the need for prevention and early detection efforts, so that patients are expected to be diagnosed in the early stages and get more effective treatment. Appropriate handling, including debulking surgery and chemotherapy, has a significant influence on the recurrence rate, so it is important to carry out periodic monitoring of patients who have undergone treatment.

Implications of the Study

This study provides valuable insight into understanding the characteristics of recurrent ovarian cancer patients in the region. By knowing the patient's profile, it is hoped that the hospital and medical personnel can design a better intervention and education program to support women's health and fight ovarian cancer effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has provided a comprehensive profile of recurrent ovarian cancer sufferers at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital from 2018-2021. The results of this study have highlighted the need for prevention and early detection efforts, as well as the importance of improving health facilities and services to be more easily accessible by the people in the regions. By understanding the characteristics of patients who are more likely to experience recurrence, healthcare providers can design targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improving health facilities and services: The government and the hospital should improve health facilities and services to be more easily accessible by the people in the regions.
Prevention and early detection efforts: Prevention and early detection efforts should be implemented to reduce the number of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Targeted interventions: Targeted interventions should be designed to support women's health and fight ovarian cancer effectively.
Periodic monitoring: Periodic monitoring of patients who have undergone treatment should be carried out to reduce the recurrence rate.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Secondary data: The study used secondary data obtained from observations of medical records, which may not be comprehensive or accurate.
Limited sample size: The study had a limited sample size, which may not be representative of the population.
Cross-sectional design: The study employed a cross-sectional design, which may not be able to establish causality.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies should be conducted to establish causality and understand the natural history of ovarian cancer.
Intervention studies: Intervention studies should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions in reducing the recurrence rate.
Qualitative studies: Qualitative studies should be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of patients with ovarian cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Q: What is recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: Recurrent ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that has returned after initial treatment. It can occur months or even years after the initial diagnosis and treatment.

Q: What are the risk factors for recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: The risk factors for recurrent ovarian cancer include:

Advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis
Presence of cancer in the lymph nodes or other parts of the body
Incomplete removal of cancer during surgery
Presence of genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
Family history of ovarian cancer

Q: What are the symptoms of recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: The symptoms of recurrent ovarian cancer can include:

Abdominal pain or discomfort
Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Fatigue or weakness
Changes in bowel or bladder habits

Q: How is recurrent ovarian cancer diagnosed?

A: Recurrent ovarian cancer is diagnosed using a combination of:

Physical examination
Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans
Blood tests, such as CA-125
Biopsy or surgical exploration

Q: What are the treatment options for recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: The treatment options for recurrent ovarian cancer include:

Surgery to remove the cancer
Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
Targeted therapy to target specific cancer cells
Immunotherapy to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer
Clinical trials to test new treatments

Q: What is the prognosis for recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: The prognosis for recurrent ovarian cancer depends on several factors, including:

The stage and location of the cancer
The patient's overall health and age
The effectiveness of treatment
The presence of any underlying medical conditions

Q: Can recurrent ovarian cancer be prevented?

A: While there is no surefire way to prevent recurrent ovarian cancer, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk:

Getting regular pelvic exams and Pap tests
Having a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) if you have a high-risk genetic mutation
Avoiding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you have a high-risk genetic mutation
Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
Getting regular exercise

Q: What support is available for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: There are several resources available to support patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, including:

Cancer support groups
Online communities and forums
Counseling and therapy services
Financial assistance programs
Patient advocacy organizations

Q: What is the latest research on recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: Researchers are actively studying recurrent ovarian cancer to better understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Some of the latest research includes:

Investigating new targeted therapies to treat recurrent ovarian cancer
Developing new imaging tests to detect cancer earlier
Studying the role of immunotherapy in treating recurrent ovarian cancer
Exploring the use of gene editing technologies to treat recurrent ovarian cancer

Q: Where can I find more information about recurrent ovarian cancer?

A: You can find more information about recurrent ovarian cancer from:

The American Cancer Society (ACS)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA)
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Your healthcare provider or oncologist