Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of knowledge about serum tumor markers in patients suffering from gynecologic cancer.
Materials and methods: 360 women with a median age of 60 years (range: 26-88 years) visiting the oncological outpatient clinic of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Vienna, between February and July 1998, were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire.
Results: The majority of patients (85.2%) believed it was important to know about tumor markers and felt safe when they knew the recent level of the tumor marker (71.6%). On the other hand, many patients felt they were insufficiently informed (43%). 88.9% of the patients did not know the recent serum level of the tumor marker. The patients who had been informed by a physician were significantly better informed about tumor markers than women relying on other sources such as nurses, relatives or other patients (p < 0.001). Patients with an age of more than 65 years significantly less frequently knew the meaning of tumor markers (p < 0.001). Fewer women suffering from ovarian cancer were uninformed about tumor markers as compared to women suffering from other malignancies (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: We conclude that the majority of patients in oncological follow-up are interested in tumor markers and want to be informed about these substances. Periodical serum tumor marker sampling is regarded as a safety measure by patients, but information about tumor markers should be improved.