Reporting adverse events in cancer surgery randomized trials: A systematic review of published trials in oesophago-gastric and gynecological cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Few reports describe how adverse events (AEs) are reported in cancer surgery trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed 179 consecutive study reports issued between January 1, 1990 and November 15, 2014, which investigated surgery in oesophago-gastric (OG) or gynecologic (GY) cancer patients. Based on the reviewed reports, we assessed how AEs were reported according to CONSORT statement.

RESULTS: Morbidity assessment was the primary objective of 56 studies (31.3%). Postoperative AEs were described in 161 studies (90%). Definition of AEs and grading scale (NCI-CTC AE, Dindo-Clavien scale, etc …) were given in 27.3% and 16.8% of studies, respectively. AEs were reported by event and grade in 8.3% of studies. Definition of expectedness, seriousness, causality and safety population were present in 0.5%, 1.1%, 7.8%, and 7.2% of the studies, respectively. Reporting of AEs did not improve over time nor better in high-impact factor journals.

CONCLUSION: The reporting of AEs in cancer trials investigating surgery needs to be improved.