In its ongoing effort to provide the public with information on the most effective cancer treatment options, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Monday released its cancer treatment guidelines for ovarian cancer.
The NCCN is made up of 19 of the world’s leading cancer centers and includes UNMC’s Eppley Cancer Center. The ovarian cancer treatment guidelines are the 10th set of cancer guidelines released by the NCCN. Previous guidelines were for: lung cancer, melanoma, colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, fever and neutropenia, cancer pain management, nausea and vomiting, and cancer-related fatigue. 
Dr. Molpus helps develop the guildelines
“These patient guidelines on ovarian cancer contain the same valuable information provided to physicians, but are written in a style that is much easier for anyone to understand,” said Kelly Molpus, M.D., a UNMC gynecologic oncologist who participated on the NCCN panel which developed the guidelines. “Women who are fighting ovarian cancer, their families, and the community in general will learn more about ovarian cancer by reading them.
“Current and accurate information is a vital part of understanding this difficult disease. I think these guidelines will allow women and their physicians to communicate more effectively, and will further enable women to take an active role in their own health care decisions.”
Dr. Molpus, who is associate professor and vice chairman of the obstetrics & gynecology department at UNMC, said September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month recognition, so the ovarian cancer guidelines are especially timely.
About the guidelines
The guidelines are the result of a collaborative effort between the NCCN and the American Cancer Society and are derived directly from the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology developed for physicians by the NCCN.
The guidelines provide the most up-to-date information about treatment options and are written in easy-to-understand language. They also provide background information on different types of cancers, their causes, various treatment options, and a glossary of terms. Several of the guidelines are available in Spanish.
Ovarian cancer in the U.S.
According to the ACS, ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer in the United States. The ACS estimates that there will be 23,300 new cases of ovarian cancer in this country this year, and about 13,900 women will die of the disease.
“By making these guidelines available, we’re providing patients with the most up-to-date treatment information, based on years of research. We’re giving them the power to make decisions that are best for them,” said Robert C. Young, M.D., president of the American Cancer Society and president of Fox Chase Cancer Center, a founding member of the NCCN.
Access the guidelines
The guidelines are available free of charge on NCCN’s Web site at www.nccn.org and by calling NCCN toll-free at 1-888-909-NCCN.