Gynecologic cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in working-age women. This study investigated whether several characteristics influence return to work after treatment of gynecologic cancer. We investigated the correlations between return to work and several other characteristics in 199 gynecologic cancer survivors. Questionnaires were distributed to patients with cancer (≥1 year after treatment and age of <65 years) who visited Okayama University. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether each characteristic influenced return to work (no return to work or job change) in these gynecologic cancer survivors. For all patients, the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 47.0 years, and the average number of years after treatment was 4.5. Forty-four patients (53.7 %) who were non-regular employees continued to be employed at the same workplace. Non-regular employment had a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.726) than other characteristics in terms of negatively affecting return to work. Additionally, non-regular employment tended to have a higher AUC (0.618) than other characteristics in terms of job changes. Non-regular employment was the variable most likely to negatively affect return to work and job changes in employed patients who underwent treatment for gynecologic cancer.

Background: Gynecologic cancers are one of the most common types of malignancies in working-age women. We aimed to determine the factors that impede women from returning to the same workplace after treatment for such cancers. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 194 women who underwent treatment for gynecologic cancer at the Okayama University (≥1 year after cancer treatment and <65 years of age). We performed a logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between returning to the same workplace and not taking sick leave. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 49.0 years, and the median time from cancer treatment to questionnaire completion was 3.8 years. Not returning to the same workplace was positively associated with not being regularly employed (P = 0.018), short work time per day (P = 0.023), low personal income (P = 0.004), not taking sick leave (P < 0.001), advanced cancer stage (P = 0.018) and long treatment time (P = 0.032). Interestingly, not taking sick leave was strongly associated with not returning to the same workplace in the multivariable analysis (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Not taking sick leave likely was negatively associated with returning to the same workplace after the treatment for gynecologic cancer. Therefore, we suggest that steps be taken to formally introduce a sick leave system over and above the paid leave system in Japan.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is predominantly characterized by peritoneal dissemination, providing a strong biological rationale for intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy. Although IP cisplatin-based regimens have demonstrated substantial survival benefits in pivotal randomized trials, toxicity and catheter-related complications limit their widespread adoption. IP carboplatin has emerged as a pragmatic alternative with improved tolerability while preserving its pharmacokinetic advantages. This review summarizes the biological and pharmacological rationale for IP carboplatin and critically examines the clinical evidence, with a particular emphasis on the Intraperitoneal Carboplatin for Ovarian Cancer (iPocc) trial and its divergence from Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-252. We further discuss the potential applicability of IP carboplatin beyond the traditional setting of minimal residual disease, including patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery, as well as its possible use in the contemporary era of maintenance therapy. Collectively, the accumulated evidence supports renewed consideration of IP carboplatin as a versatile component in modern ovarian cancer management.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is predominantly characterized by peritoneal dissemination, providing a strong biological rationale for intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy. Although IP cisplatin-based regimens have demonstrated substantial survival benefits in pivotal randomized trials, toxicity and catheter-related complications limit their widespread adoption. IP carboplatin has emerged as a pragmatic alternative with improved tolerability while preserving its pharmacokinetic advantages. This review summarizes the biological and pharmacological rationale for IP carboplatin and critically examines the clinical evidence, with a particular emphasis on the Intraperitoneal Carboplatin for Ovarian Cancer (iPocc) trial and its divergence from Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-252. We further discuss the potential applicability of IP carboplatin beyond the traditional setting of minimal residual disease, including patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery, as well as its possible use in the contemporary era of maintenance therapy. Collectively, the accumulated evidence supports renewed consideration of IP carboplatin as a versatile component in modern ovarian cancer management.