Knowledge of tumor markers and the psychological consequences of tumor marker sampling in patients with gynecologic cancers

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of knowledg e about serum tumor markers in patients suffering from gynecologic cancer M aterials and Methods: 360 women with a median age of 60 years (range: 26-88 years) visiting the oncological outpatient clinic of the Department of Gyn ecology and Obstetrics of the University of Vienna, between February and Ju ly 1998, were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire. Results: The m ajority of patients (85.2%) believed it was important to know about tumor m arkers and felt safe when they knew the recent level of the tumor market (7 1.6%). On the other hand, many patients felt they were insufficiently infor med (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 signif icantly better informed about tumor markers than women relying on other sou rces such as nurses, relatives or other patients (p<0.001). Patients with a n 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 ma lignancies (p<0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that the majority of patients in oncological follow-up are interested in tumor markers and want to be in formed about these substances. Periodical serum tumor marker sampling is re garded as a safety measure by patients, but information about tumor markers should be improved.