What we know about treatment decision making in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objectives: To describe what is known about the three stages of treatment decision making (TDM) in the medical encounter: (1) information exchange, (2) deliberation, and (3) making the treatment decision for ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: A literature search was completed including original research on TDM as it pertained to the disease continuum of OC. Results: Information exchange shows that patients and physicians feel that life expectancy is the most important issue. Physicians report that they do not discuss this at initial diagnosis. Decision aids could be used as a tool to ensure that information. The deliberation stage is the least researched. There is no information on the role that patients and physicians take. With the exception of one internet based tool, there is no research on how to elicit patient preferences. During making the treatment decision, women do not perceive that they have treatment options yet they feel they are making the decision. “No treatment” is not considered to be an option. Conclusions: TDM in OC is increasingly being evaluated. The stage of information exchange has been assessed in greater depth compared to that of the other stages.