Ultrasound examination for detection of ovarian carcinoma in risk groups

Ovarian ultrasound scanning was carried out as an adjunct to pelvic examination in 801 women between 40-70 years of age presenting at the outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden for a variety of gynecologic complaints. All belonged to a high-risk category for ovarian carcinoma because of nulliparity; family history of ovarian, breast, or endometrial carcinoma; previous cancer; or unspecified abdominal complaints. Of 638 patients with normal scans, findings at pelvic examination had been abnormal in 51 cases, and all were normal at subsequent clinical follow-up. Among 163 patients with abnormal ultrasound scans, one case of borderline ovarian tumor and two cases of endometrial cancer were found for which the pelvic examination had been considered normal. Clinical symptoms probably would have led to detection within a short time in these cases anyway, even if ultrasound had not been performed. Based on the findings in this study and the previous experience with gynecologic ultrasound in several thousand patients, it would not seem that ultrasound has a role in screening for ovarian carcinoma.     

林奇综合征相关卵巢癌新进展

林奇综合征（Lynch syndrome,LS）是一种常染色体显性肿瘤综合征,是由DNA错配修复（MMR）基因中的一个胚系突变使细胞具有高微卫星不稳定表型（MSI-H）的超突变或缺乏MMR蛋白表达从而引起肿瘤的发生。突变携带者具有罹患结直肠癌、子宫内膜癌和卵巢癌等一系列恶性肿瘤的高风险。虽然LS中最常见的是结直肠癌,但约有60％的LS首发癌为妇科恶性肿瘤（如子宫内膜癌、卵巢癌等）,且其被诊断年龄较早、组织病理学大多为子宫内膜样或非浆液性类型、总体存活率良好。因此及时发现LS相关卵巢癌（LSAOC）这一亚类,对于预防LS患者其他肿瘤的发生,提高LS患者的生存率具有重要意义。目前关于LS的发病机制、组织病理学等方面不断有新的探索,现就LSAOC的早期诊断、组织病理学、筛查及降低风险方案的最新进展进行综述。     

Population screening and early detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre position statement: 'Population screening and early detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women', was developed and agreed following a Forum in February 2009 attended by key Australian stakeholders. The final position statement and supporting background information have been endorsed by key Australian colleges and agencies.
Position statement on population screening and early detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women

• 1  

  There is currently no evidence that any test, including pelvic examination, CA125 or other biomarkers, ultrasound (including transvaginal ultrasound), or combination of tests, results in reduced mortality from ovarian cancer.
• 2  

  There is no evidence to support the use of any test, including pelvic examination, CA125 or other biomarkers, ultrasound (including transvaginal ultrasound), or combination of tests, for routine population-based screening for ovarian cancer.
• 3  

  Further validation in large clinical trials is required before current or new biomarkers could be recommended for routine use in a population screening setting.

     

Gynecologic cancer as a "sentinel cancer" for women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome have a 40-60% lifetime risk for colon cancer, a 40-60% lifetime risk for endometrial cancer, and a 12% lifetime risk for ovarian cancer. A number of women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome will have more than one cancer in their lifetime. The purpose of this study was to estimate whether women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome who develop 2 primary cancers present with gynecologic or colon cancer as their "sentinel cancer." METHODS: Women whose families fulfilled Amsterdam criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome and who developed 2 primary colorectal/gynecologic cancers in their lifetime were identified from 5 large hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome registries. Information on age at cancer diagnoses and which cancer (colon cancer or endometrial cancer/ovarian cancer) developed first was obtained. RESULTS: A total of 117 women with dual primary cancers from 223 Amsterdam families were identified. In 16 women, colon cancer and endometrial cancer/ovarian cancer were diagnosed simultaneously. Of the remaining 101 women, 52 (51%) women had an endometrial or ovarian cancer diagnosed first. Forty-nine (49%) women had a colon cancer diagnosed first. For women who developed endometrial cancer/ovarian cancer first, mean age at diagnosis of endometrial cancer/ovarian cancer was 44. For women who developed colon cancer first, the mean age at diagnosis of colon cancer was 40. CONCLUSION: In this large series of women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome who developed 2 primary colorectal/gynecologic cancers, endometrial cancer/ovarian cancer was the "sentinel cancer," preceding the development of colon cancer, in half of the cases. Therefore, gynecologists and gynecologic oncologists play a pivotal role in the identification of women with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome.     

Cancer risk in young women at risk of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: implications for gynecologic surveillance

OBJECTIVES: The lifetime risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is up to 60 and 12%, respectively, in addition to the high risk of colorectal cancer. International guidelines recommend surveillance of those at risk with colonoscopy every 1--2 years from age 20--25 years and annual gynecologic surveillance from 25--35 years for women. We reviewed our own experience to see whether these recommendations were appropriate. METHODS: Pedigrees of 120 HNPCC families registered with the Familial Bowel Cancer Service at The Royal Melbourne Hospital were reviewed. Ninety families met our criteria for HNPCC and were included in the study. Pedigrees were analyzed to identify early-age onset colorectal and gynecologic cancers and to calculate cumulative incidence of both cancer types for at-risk women (HNPCC-affected and first-degree female relatives of affected family members) for comparison with the general population. RESULTS: Colorectal cancer occurred in 434 individuals, endometrial cancer in 43, and ovarian cancer in 24. Gynecologic and colorectal cancers were diagnosed at similar ages (mean 49.3 versus 51.8 years; P = 0.25), with 5 (7.1%) gynecologic cancers diagnosed by 35 years. Cumulative incidences of gynecologic and colorectal cancers to ages 25, 30, 35, and 40 years were substantially higher among at-risk women than in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to offering gynecologic cancer surveillance from the age of 25 years, as for colorectal cancer. However, this approach should be individualized as it has yet to be demonstrated that surveillance reduces the mortality of gynecologic cancer in HNPCC.     

Fertility preserving options in patients with gynecologic malignancies

A proportion of reproductive age women are affected by gynecologic malignancies. This patient population is faced with difficult decisions, related to their cancer care and treatment, as well as future childbearing potential. Therefore, it is important for gynecologists to be familiar with fertility sparing management options in patients with cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. In addition to understanding the surgical approaches available, providers should be able to counsel patients regarding their eligibility for and the indications and limitations of fertility sparing therapy for gynecologic cancer, allowing for appropriate referrals. A comprehensive PUBMED literature search was conducted using the key words "fertility preservation," "cervical cancer," "endometrial cancer," "ovarian cancer," "borderline tumor of the ovary," "germ cell tumor," "obstetrical outcomes," "chemotherapy," and "radiation." The following review summarizes fertility sparing options for patients with cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer, with an emphasis on appropriate patient selection, oncologic, and obstetric outcomes.     

The role of ultrasound evaluation in the detection of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial ovarian cancer kills more women than all other gynecologic malignancies combined because of our inability to detect early-stage disease. Ultrasonography has demonstrated usefulness in the detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women, but its value for the detection of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer in women of increased risk is uncertain. We examined the usefulness of sonography in the detection of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer in asymptomatic high-risk women who participated in the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program. STUDY DESIGN: Only asymptomatic women of increased risk for the development of ovarian cancer with initial normal gynecologic and ultrasound examinations were eligible to participate in the institutional review board-approved National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program. Participants underwent comprehensive gynecologic and ultrasound examinations every 6 months. Increased risk includes women with at least 1 affected first-degree relative with ovarian cancer; a personal history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer; > or =1 affected first- and second-degree relatives with breast and or ovarian cancer; inheritance of a breast cancer mutation from an affected family member, or membership within a recognized cancer syndrome. RESULTS: The average age of the 4526 women who were evaluated was 46 years; 2610 women were premenopausal, and 1916 women were postmenopausal. A total of 12,709 scans have been performed since 1990. Visualization of both ovaries was noted in 98% of premenopausal and in 94% of postmenopausal women. Fourteen women had undergone unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Recall rates at less than the routine 6-month interval were 0.4% in the premenopausal and 0.3% in postmenopausal women. A total of 98 women with persistent adnexal masses were identified, and 49 invasive surgical procedures were performed that diagnosed 37 benign ovarian tumors and 12 gynecologic malignancies. All cancers were detected in asymptomatic women who had normal ultrasound and physical examinations 12 and 6 months before the cancer diagnosis. The detected malignancies were fallopian tube carcinoma (stage IIIC; n = 4 women), primary peritoneal carcinoma (n = 4 women; stage IIIA, 1 woman; stage IIIB, 2 women; stage IIIC, 1 woman), epithelial ovarian cancer (stages IIIA and IIIB; n = 2 women), and endometrial adenocarcinoma (stage IA; n = 2 women). Additionally 37 primary and 12 recurrent breast carcinomas were detected by physical examination. A total of 184 women with genetic predisposition (breast cancer positive) have undergone a prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; 23% of these procedures found atypical hyperplasia, and unexpectedly, 2 women (1%) were found to have stage III (A and B) primary peritoneal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the limited value of diagnostic ultrasound examination as an independent modality for the detection of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women who are at increased risk for disease.     

林奇综合征患者子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌的筛查与预防

患有林奇综合征(Lynch syndrome,LS)的妇女终生患子宫内膜癌和卵巢癌风险大幅增加.而子宫内膜癌或卵巢癌可以是LS患者的首发恶性肿瘤,也可以是第二原发恶性肿瘤.LS相关子宫内膜癌主要类型是子宫内膜样腺癌.近年来,有关LS相关子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌的筛查研究较少,主要是通过门诊子宫内膜活检、微卫星高不稳定性(mi...     

Gynecologic screening in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: In hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), women with a mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation have a cumulative lifetime risk of 25-50% for endometrial cancer and 8-12% for ovarian cancer. Therefore, female members of HNPCC families are offered an annual gynecologic and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) examination and serum level CA 125 analysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our 10-year experience with this screening program. METHODS: Women who are MMR gene mutation carriers or who fulfil the Amsterdam criteria were identified from our HNPCC database. Information concerning the screening program was retrospectively collected from patient files. RESULTS: Forty-one women, 35 premenopausal and 6 postmenopausal, were enrolled in the program with a median follow-up of 5 years (range 5 months-11 years). In 197 patient years at risk, 17 of 179 TVUs gave reason for endometrial sampling. Three premalignant lesions, with complex atypical hyperplasia, were discovered. One interval endometrial cancer was detected as a result of clinical symptoms. No abnormal CA 125 levels were measured and no ovarian cancers were detected. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that gynecologic screening allows the detection of premalignant lesions of the endometrium but also illustrate that recognition and reporting of clinical symptoms by the women themselves is of utmost importance.     

The polycystic ovary syndrome and gynecological cancer risk

Abstract

This review updates the knowledge regarding the association between the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the risk of gynecological cancer. We performed a literature review of clinical and epidemiological studies concerning PCOS and the risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer after selecting information by quality of scientific methodology. It was found that evidence does not support a link between PCOS and breast cancer risk. There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer, while data concerning ovarian cancer are contradictory. Regarding PCOS and its association to cervical, fallopian tube, and vulvar cancer, the quality of evidence is heterogeneous. In conclusion, women with PCOS should be screened for endometrial cancer and more research is warranted to determine in this population the true risk of developing other gynecological cancers such as breast and ovarian.     

Gynecologic cancer prevention in Lynch syndrome/hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families

OBJECTIVE: Women from Lynch syndrome/hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch/HNPCC) families have an increased lifetime risk of developing endometrial and ovarian cancer. This study models a comparison of management strategies for women who carry a Lynch/HNPCC mutation. METHODS: A decision analytic model with three arms was designed to compare annual gynecologic examinations with annual screening (ultrasonography, endometrial biopsy, CA 125) and with hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at age 30 years The existing literature was searched for studies on the accuracy of endometrial and ovarian cancer screening using endometrial biopsy, transvaginal ultrasonography, and serum CA 125. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database from 1988 to 2001 was used to estimate cancer mortality outcomes. RESULTS: In the surgical arm, 0.0056% of women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 0.0060% of women with endometrial cancer. These numbers increased to 3.7% and 18.4% in women being screened, and 8.3% and 48.7% in women undergoing annual examinations, respectively. Surgical management led to the longest expected survival time at 79.98 years, followed by screening at 79.31 years, and annual examinations at 77.41 years. If starting at age 30 and discounting life years at 3%, surgery still leads to the greatest expected life years. When comparing prophylactic surgery with the screening option, one would need to perform 75 surgeries to save one woman's entire life. For cancer prevention, however, only 28 and 6 prophylactic surgeries would need to be performed to prevent one case of ovarian and endometrial cancer, respectively. CONCLUSION: Risk-reducing hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be considered in women with Lynch/HNPCC to prevent gynecologic cancers and their associated morbidities.     

Annual surveillance by CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound for ovarian cancer in both high-risk and population risk women is ineffective

Objective  To assess the efficacy of annual CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) scan as surveillance for ovarian cancer.
Design  Retrospective audit.
Setting  NHS Trust.
Population  Three hundred and forty-one asymptomatic women enrolled for ovarian cancer screening: 179 were in a high-risk group (>10% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer), 77 in a moderate risk group (4–10% lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer) and 71 in a near population risk group (<4% lifetime risk).
Methods  Retrospective audit of case records, laboratory CA125 results, radiology reports, histology records and local cancer registry data.
Main outcome measures  Ovarian cancers occurring in study population. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of TVU, and CA125 as a screening tool for ovarian cancer.
Results  Four ovarian cancers and one endometrial cancer occurred. One ovarian cancer was detected at surveillance, three occurred in women who presented symptomatically between screenings. Thirty women underwent exploratory surgery because of abnormal findings at surveillance. Two women had cancer (PPV = 6.7%); one had ovarian cancer and the other endometrial cancer. Twenty-eight women (93.3%) had no malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for TVU in the whole cohort were 33.3, 85.8, 0.6 and 99.8%, respectively. For high-risk individuals, the figures for TVU were 33.3, 84.5, 1.1 and 99.6, respectively. Combining both modalities for the whole cohort, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 66.7, 82.9, 1.5 and 99.8% and 50.0, 82.8, 1.3 and 99.7%, respectively, for the high-risk group alone.
Conclusions  Ovarian screening by annual TVU and CA125 is inefficient at detecting early-stage ovarian cancers.     

The additional value of endometrial sampling in the early detection of endometrial cancer in women with Lynch syndrome

Objective

Based on previous studies, standard gynecological screening consisting of annual transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU) was added with endometrial sampling in women with Lynch syndrome (LS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional value of endometrial sampling in detecting (pre)malignancies of the endometrial tissue in women with LS or first-degree relatives.

Methods

All women above 30 years of age with LS or first-degree relatives at 50% risk of LS are offered annual gynecological screening in our family cancer clinic. Endometrial screening results from January 2003-December 2007 (period I: standard screening by transvaginal sonography and serum CA125) were compared with screening results from January 2008-June 2012 (period II: standard screening added with endometrial sampling).

Results

Seventy five women (300 patient years) were screened annually. There were 266 screening visits, 117 in period I and 149 in period II. In period I, four premalignant endometrial lesions were detected and one endometrial carcinoma (FIGO stage IB). In period II, two premalignancies were found. None of the lesions would have been missed without standard endometrial sampling. No interval endometrial cancers were detected in this study.

Conclusion

In this study, annual endometrial screening seems an effective screening tool in the detection of premalignancies and early endometrial cancer in women with LS. Adding standard endometrial sampling to annual TVU has no additional value in the early detection of (pre)malignant endometrial lesions in women with LS in this study.     

Mismatch repair protein deficiency in endometriosis: Precursor of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer in women with lynch syndrome

ObjectiveWe aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer through the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in women with Lynch syndrome (LS) in this report.Case reportTwo women with LS underwent surgery for synchronous endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. In both cases, immunohistochemical examination showed concomitant MMR protein deficiency in endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and contiguous ovarian endometriosis. In Case 1, the macroscopically normal ovary included multiple endometrioses with MSH2 and MSH6 expression, and FIGO grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma and contiguous endometriosis without MSH2 and MSH6 expression. In Case 2, all endometriotic cells contiguous with carcinoma in the lumen of the ovarian cyst showed loss of the expression of MSH2 and MSH6.ConclusionOvarian endometriosis with MMR protein deficiency may progress to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer in women with LS. Diagnosing endometriosis in women with LS during surveillance is important.     

Testing for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is responsible for more deaths per annum than cervical and endometrial cancer combined. Patients are often diagnosed at a late stage because of the non-specific symptoms of this disease. It can be difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian pathology, and a malignancy risk index has been developed to guide clinicians. The accuracy of CA125 and ultrasound scans as screening tests is being assessed in randomised controlled trials and proteomic technology shows promise for the early detection of cancers. At present, without accurate screening and early diagnostic techniques, high-risk patients often chose to have prophylactic surgery.     

Diagnosing the correct ovarian cancer syndrome

We report four sisters whose maternal pedigree suggested a site-specific ovarian cancer syndrome, whereas their paternal pedigree closely fit the Cancer Family Syndrome (Lynch II). Eliciting a complete family history, both maternal and paternal, is important for defining the correct ovarian cancer syndrome. Once the definition is made, the patient and other family members at risk must be counseled and encouraged to begin the appropriate schedule of screening and intervention. These recommendations may be summarized as follows: 1) site-specific ovarian carcinoma: screening with physical examination, CA 125, and ultrasound, and bilateral oophorectomy after childbearing has been completed; 2) breast/ovary syndrome: screening for ovarian cancer as above, mammography and bilateral oophorectomy as above, and possible prophylactic mastectomy; and 3) Lynch Cancer Family Syndrome: screening for ovarian cancer as above, colonoscopy and endometrial biopsy, and prophylactic hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy once childbearing is complete.     

林奇综合征与妇科肿瘤

林奇综合征（Lynch syndrome）又称为遗传性非息肉性结直肠癌综合征（HNPCC）,属于常染色体显性遗传性疾病,是最常见的结直肠癌遗传形式。林奇综合征患者常会患有多种肿瘤,其中子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌与其关系最为密切,可以视为林奇综合征的“前哨”肿瘤。在诊断患有林奇综合征的女性中,其患子宫内膜癌的终生风险（60%）会高于患结直肠癌的风险。结合临床表现标准及肿瘤分子学评估可以对其进行高效的诊断。在林奇综合征的女性患者中,应每1～2年（而不是每年）进行子宫内膜活检,在生育结束后行预防性手术可以起到有效的筛查及预防作用。对林奇综合征及其相关的子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌不断有新的研究进展,主要对林奇综合征的诊断、相关的子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌进行综述。     

The performance of screening tests for ovarian cancer: results of a systematic review

Objective To estimate the performance of currently available tests in detecting ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women.
Methods Systematic review of prospective screening studies.
Results Twenty-five studies were identified: sixteen studied women at average risk and nine studied women at higher risk. Most studies evaluated only one screening method, were small, detecting few cancers, and gave few follow up details. Sensitivity estimates are therefore imprecise. In a typical larger study, reported sensitivity of ultrasound screening at one year was around 100% (95% CI 54%–100%), while the sensitivity of CA125 measurement followed by ultrasound (multimodal screening) was about 80% (95% CI 49%–95%). False positive rates ranged between 1.2% and 2.5% for grey scale ultrasound, between 0.3% and 0.7% for ultrasound with colour Doppler and between 0.1% and 0.6% for multimodal screening. This implies that, in annual screening of a population with an incidence of 40 per 100,000, and if no cancers were missed, between 2.5 and 60 women would undergo surgery for every primary ovarian cancer detected.
Conclusions Ultrasound and multimodal screening can detect ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women, but there is currently no evidence on whether screening improves outcome for women in any risk group. On-going randomised controlled trials should establish the magnitude of any benefit of screening. The low prevalence of ovarian cancer in the population, and its rate of progression, may limit the potential cost-effectiveness of screening.     

Hereditary Endometrial Cancer: Lynch Syndrome

Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer [HNPCC]), Cowden syndrome (CS), and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) are hereditary diseases with an increased risk for endometrial cancer. Lynch syndrome is the most frequent disease associated with hereditary endometrial cancer. Lynch syndrome is autosomal dominant disorder caused by germ-cell mutation of DNA mismatch repair genes. Patients with Lynch syndrome have a higher risk of endometrial cancer compared with the general population. Thus, these patients and their families may develop malignant tumors, including colon and endometrial cancers. The lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in females with Lynch syndrome is particularly high (28-60 %). Lynch syndrome is a typical hereditary tumor associated with endometrial cancer, and elucidation of the oncogenic mechanism is important to understand the characteristics of endometrial cancer, including sporadic endometrial cancer. The Amsterdam II Criteria are used for screening for Lynch syndrome, but some cases of hereditary endometrial cancer do not meet these criteria (masked Lynch syndrome); therefore, patients with a suspected hereditary predisposition, including juvenile-onset and double cancer, should undergo genetic tests in addition to taking of a family history.     

The impact of obesity on the incidence and treatment of gynecologic cancers: a review

Sixty-five percent of the adult population in the United States is overweight and 30% of the population is obese. There is mounting evidence that obesity is a risk factor for gynecologic cancers and may also adversely impact survival. The objectives of this review were to systematically evaluate and discuss the impact of overweight and obesity on endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer incidence and to review the data on the impact of obesity on treatment of these same gynecologic cancers. A PUBMED literature search was performed to identify articles in the English language that focused on the impact of obesity on cancer incidence and treatment. References of identified articles were also used to find additional related articles. Obesity profoundly increases the incidence of endometrial cancer, predominantly through the effects of unopposed estrogen. Although the data are less compelling in ovarian and cervical cancer, obesity may modestly increase the incidence of premenopausal ovarian cancer and might potentially increase cervical cancer incidence, perhaps as a result of the impact on glandular cancers or decreased screening compliance. Obese women with cancer have decreased survival; this may be disease-specific, the result of comorbid illnesses, or response to treatment. Obese women have increased surgical complications, may also have increased radiation complications, and there is no current consensus regarding appropriate chemotherapy dosing in the obese patient. Obesity is a serious health problem with significant effects on the incidence and treatment of the gynecologic malignancies. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to summarize the clear evidence that obesity is a risk factor for many cancers, including gynecologic malignancies; describe the role of unopposed estrogen in gynecologic cancers; and explain that obese women overall have a poorer survival rate when afflicted with cancer.