Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1388210
126 Gynaecology and Colposcopy 2020 | NMH Annual Rep t T he gynaecological oncology service continued to develop during another busy year. The service is based between St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) and The National Maternity Hospital (NMH) but this year saw a development in our governance structure with the formation of The UCD Gynaecological Oncology Group (UCD-GOG). This group, incorporating UCD, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) and St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH), is the largest Gynaecological Oncology Group in the country serving over two million people. This is a very positive development and builds upon long standing clinical and research relationships. A new website was developed that is a valuable resource to patients. https://www.ucd.ie/medicine/studywithus/ specialityunits/ucdgynaecologicaloncologygroup/ Our 'New' Cancer numbers increased from 135 in 2019 to 167 this year. This is a 23% increase despite COVID-19 having a profound effect on elective work. Thankfully, the cancer services from NMH and SVUH were transferred to St Vincent's Private Hospital (SVPH) during the pandemic. This was essential and without access to the private hospital we would not have been able to look after this increased work load. It is a model of care that serves the campus and the units very well. There are now two specialist nurses in the service: Sarah Belton and Louise Comerford. They are an invaluable resource to our patients and together with colleagues in the MMUH, are involved in setting up our survivorship programme. Treatment Services Almost all major surgery is now carried out at SVUH with less invasive surgeries carried out at NMH. During the year a lot of our surgical services were transferred to SVPH. Radiotherapy is provided mainly at St Luke's Hospital as well as SVUH. Medical oncology services are provided at SVUH. A limited number of patients who are suitable for peritonectomy and HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy) are treated in MMUH. Multidisciplinary Structure Every woman with a new diagnosis of gynaecological cancer is discussed at a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. The MDT meeting room at SVUH is equipped with video conferencing and data sharing equipment and remote participation is the norm. There were 25 MDT meetings in 2020 at which 517 women were discussed. This is a substantial increase from 350 patients in 2019 and 254 in 2018. Results 2020 was a busy year for the service with 167 new cases of gynaecological cancer diagnosed. The anatomical site of the cancer is below: Cancer Diagnosis Type Type Total Cervix 25 Endometrium 57 Ovary 55 Vulva 7 Combined 2 Borderline 21 Total 167 Not yet confirmed 14 Benign 21 Recurrences 28 Non Gynae 11 • Cervical cancer was diagnosed in 25 women. This is a slight increase from last year. • Ovarian cancer continues to be the biggest challenge for the unit unfortunately. 55 people were diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. These patients need a multi-disciplinary approach and often have a prolonged hospital stay and extensive surgery. • 21 borderline tumours were treated during the year; this is a big increase from 2019. All were treated with surgery and thankfully have an excellent prognosis. • 7 cases of new primary malignant vulval cancer were diagnosed in 2019: this number is very stable over the last few years. Gynaecology Oncology This group, incorporating UCD, The Mater and St Vincents University Hospital, is the largest Gynaecological Oncology Group in the country serving over two million people. This is a very positive development and builds upon long standing clinical and research relationships.