Publication of the Review Article on Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care for ovarian cancer: Focus on the multidisciplinary team

Following the publication of the full version of the Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care: Ovarian, we are excited to announce the release of a condensed review article.

This new document, crafted by European experts from diverse disciplines, provides a concise overview of the critical elements needed to establish high-quality ovarian cancer care. It outlines practical, universally applicable recommendations addressing disparities in services and capabilities across healthcare systems.

'This paper sets the stage for addressing the complexity of ovarian cancer care. It highlights what is required in terms of resources, multidisciplinary expertise, and coordination to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based treatments and whole-patient quality care," said Luzia Travado, ERQCC Ovarian Co-Chair and clinician-researcher in Psycho-Oncology at the Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon. "It is a step forward toward a future Quality Assurance Scheme for accrediting Ovarian Cancer Treatment Units or services,' she added.

Cristiana Sessa, ERQCC Ovarian Co-Chair and honorary consultant at the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, emphasized: 'Care for women with ovarian cancer should be organised in pathways covering the entire patient journey—from diagnosis to follow-up—including surgical and medical treatments, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, survivorship, and palliative care. Initial surgery is the cornerstone of treatment, and poor access to a specialist team results in suboptimal surgical care and staging.'

The ERQCC Ovarian framework not only outlines the core components of good practice but also provides actionable recommendations for healthcare systems to achieve these standards. From the allocation of resources to the integration of multidisciplinary teams, this document envisions a future where every ovarian cancer patient has access to equitable, high-quality care.

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