Gynecologic Oncology

An innovative, individualized vaccine that may prolong the remission period of ovarian cancer survivors has been developed. Will it work?

A new index using protein markers can identify ovarian cancer cases at high and low risk for recurrence and discriminate between short- and long-term survivors.

A screening protocol that takes into consideration CA-125 levels over time and results of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) shows promise in early detection of ovarian cancer, according to a new report from investigators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In a large, prospective study, the combination demonstrated excellent specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) in a group of women at average risk of ovarian cancer.

Researchers suggest that recommendations for the universal screening of breast cancer with mammography be reassessed.

Retinoids may have some effect on regression of certain grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) but do not prevent disease progression.

Research shows that vaccinating all teens-both boys and girls--results in an enormous reduction in HPV-related infections. Why aren't we doing it in the United States?

Despite new screening guidelines, most obstetrician-gynecologists continue to perform annual pap tests, according to a recent survey of members of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

These beautiful and often other-worldly photographs by pathologist Ed Uthman, MD, show both benign and malignant ovarian pathology.

MRI-guided 3-dimensional brachytherapy (BT) for cervical cancer effectively delivers high-dose, tumor-specific radiotherapy with few serious adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

On June 13, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be subject to patent.

New research shows that symptoms exist in even early-stage ovarian cancer, disproving the myth that it's a "silent killer." Barbara Goff, MD, presents the latest in symptom research, tips on what physicians should be looking for, and what's on the horizon for ovarian cancer screening.

The addition of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) for the diagnosis of recurrent or persistent cervical cancer is not cost-effective, according to the results of a meta-analysis funded by the UK’s Research Health Technology Assessment program.

A 2-dose quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series in girls may be as immunogenic as a 3-dose series, but there may be a loss of noninferiority to some genotypes after 2 years.

Authors of a new study identified four strategies for cervical cancer screening that maximize benefits while reducing the potential for harm.

A test for cervical cancer that uses ordinary vinegar--and that can be performed by trained laypersons--holds promise for poor countries where cytology-based screening is not easily implemented. This low-cost, innovative solution to a pressing women’s health problem was presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

A commentary on ACOG Practice Bulletin Number 131: Screening for Cervical Cancer, November 2012

The female hormone megestrol acetate (MA) improves appetite and is associated with slight weight gain in patients with cancer, AIDS, and other underlying pathology, but comes with significant adverse events.

Women with endometriosis who undergo surgery to treat the condition are less likely to have ovarian cancer develop later in life.

Patients with stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer that was not cured with standard treatment who were given the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab lived 3.7 months longer than patients who did not receive the drug, but adverse events increased.

A meta-analysis of two Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) clinical trials shows a clear long-term survival benefit for intraperitoneal (IP) therapy over intravenous (IV) treatment of ovarian cancer. The results were presented at the 2013 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in Los Angeles.

The use of APTIMA human papillomavirus (AHPV) assay for the detection of high-risk human papillomavirus E6/E7 oncogenic messenger RNA is an effective triage method for colposcopy referral in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytology (ASC-US).

From ASRM’s removal of the ‘experimental’ label from the procedure of oocyte cryopreservation, to discoveries into the complex genetic processes involved in ovarian cancer, 2012 was another important year in ob/gyn research. Here, the leaders of seven major ob/gyn societies reflect on the most exciting research of the last year.

Some may argue that the new ACOG, ACS and other cervical cancer screening guidelines will detect the majority of at-risk women. We should not be content with settling for identifying a majority of at risk women; rather, we should constantly reassess the availability of useful tests to see if we can improve reliability.

Nurse-delivered interventions that combined psychoeducation with supportive attention may help improve mood in patients in whom cancer has been newly diagnosed.