The National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) requires consideration of evidence on both the clinical and cost-effectiveness of health technologies in the development of all National Clinical Guidelines in Ireland. The role of HRB-CICER is to independently review evidence and provide scientific support for the development, by guideline development groups, of these evidence-based National Clinical Guidelines.

The development of the diagnosis and staging of patients with ovarian cancer guideline was led by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). The purpose of this guideline is to improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of ovarian cancer care in Ireland by providing recommendations for the diagnosis and staging of ovarian cancer. HRB-CICER, in collaboration with NCCP colleagues, conducted a systematic review of cost-effectiveness to identify and evaluate economic evidence to inform the clinical recommendations.

Ovarian cancer is used to describe closely related cancers that begin in the cells of the ovary, fallopian tube and peritoneum. Early ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose and when diagnosed in later stages can be difficult to treat. It may become fatal by spreading within the pelvis and abdomen. Therefore, early detection of ovarian cancer is critical to successful treatment.

The systematic review of cost-effectiveness literature was carried out in accordance with agreed HRB-CICER processes and followed the HIQA guidelines for the retrieval and interpretation of economic literature.