Special Session Highlights Late-Breaking Abstract

Selected abstract points to efficacy of treatment guidelines and need for improved practices

CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In their continuing quest to eradicate women's cancers, gynecologic oncologists are developing new approaches to treatment, diagnosis and prevention of these diseases. An outstanding assortment of new research will be on display in Orlando, March 6 - 9, 2011, during the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists' (SGO) 42nd Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, the premier scientific meeting for women's cancer specialists.

A recent outcomes analysis coordinated by the SGO's Quality and Outcomes Committee indicates that a majority of women with invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma received care that fell short of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Further, women who received care following the guidelines enjoyed improved survival. The study also notes an ongoing opportunity for improved documentation of stage, sub-stage and grade information in the National Cancer Data Base. The abstract will be presented on Tuesday, March 8, during the Late-Breaking Abstracts (LBA) session at the Annual Meeting.

"This abstract is indicative of the high-quality research being conducted in our sub-specialty," said Dr. Daniel Clarke-Pearson, president of the SGO. "It is our responsibility to be transparent about opportunities for improvement, and that is why we showcase abstracts like this one at our Annual Meeting, where our colleagues from across the country and the world can evaluate the findings and influence better outcomes."

The SGO session highlights significant late-breaking research completed after the Annual Meeting's usual abstract submission deadline. The abstract selected for this year's session is scheduled to be published in the May 2011 issue of Gynecologic Oncology.

"We selected this year's late-breaking abstract from an outstanding pool of submissions completed between December of last year and this February," said Robert Bristow, MD, MBA , chairman of the Program Committee for SGO's 2011 Annual Meeting. "A total of five will be presented in this special plenary session and are a welcome addition to what is already a balanced, well-rounded program for our attendees."

Featured Late-Breaking Abstract for 2011

The following late-breaking abstract will be highlighted during the LBA session, March 8:

• Adherence with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Associated with Improved Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients, A Study of 144,449 Patients From the National Cancer Data Base: A Project from The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Quality and Outcomes Committee -- M. Powell

About SGO

The SGO is a national medical specialty organization of physicians and allied healthcare professionals who are trained in the comprehensive management of women with malignancies of the reproductive tract.  Its purpose is to improve the care of women with gynecologic cancer by encouraging research, disseminating knowledge which will raise the standards of practice in the prevention and treatment of gynecologic malignancies, and cooperating with other organizations interested in women's health care, oncology and related fields. The Society's membership, totaling more than 1,400, is primarily comprised of gynecologic oncologists, as well as other related medical specialists including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, social workers and pathologists. SGO members provide multidisciplinary cancer treatment including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and supportive care.  More information on the SGO can be found at www.sgo.org.  

SOURCE Society of Gynecologic Oncologists