Gynaecologic Oncology

As Gynecologic Oncologist my research interest is focused on gynecological cancer.

My main interest is in endometrial cancer. Currently a new classification system is being implemented based on molecular profiling of endometrial cancer tissue instead of the traditional histologic features. As molecular subgroups are strongly related to prognosis, the next step that will be evaluated is what adjuvant treatment after resection of the uterus and adnexa needs to be advised. However, gynecologists used to perform surgical staging in patients who are at risk of metastasis. By surgical staging the FIGO stage is determined and FIGO stage functioned as a guide for adjuvant treatment. FIGO stage is known to be a very strong prognostic factor. We hypothesize that it is important to include FIGO stage in the new risk stratification and determination of adjuvant treatment. Therefore we will evaluate the FIGO stage (defined as presence of metastatic disease) in each of the four molecular subgroups. Moreover, we will assess is FIGO stage independently influences prognosis.

In the future I would like to develop methods to decrease the impact of diagnostics and treatment whilst remaining good survival outcomes. One clear example is the field of fertility sparing treatment.