My mother was an OB-GYN, so I entered my residency believing that I would take over her practice. This changed during my first year of training, when I cared for patients with gynecologic cancers and learned about the procedures used to treat these diseases. I saw how quality of care and surgery were so essential to positive outcomes for these patients, and that inspired me to go into the gynecologic oncology subspecialty. I wanted to develop an expertise in advanced ovarian cancer surgery because I saw that this was the area where training, skill, dedication, and perseverance made the most difference.
In my clinical practice, I have extensive experience in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Using this advanced technology helps us improve outcomes for patients with early-stage cancers of the ovaries, uterus, and cervix. When appropriate, I offer my patients newer treatment options, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, fertility-preserving surgery, and robotic surgery, as well as panniculectomies (removal of excess fat from the lower abdomen). These techniques improve outcomes, both surgically and cosmetically, and ultimately help improve patient quality of life.
When patients with known or suspected cancers — especially those with advanced ovarian cancer — first come to see me, they are often concerned with removing the cancer as soon as possible. I reassure all my patients that, together, we will decide on the best treatment plan in the timeliest manner possible. When patients need surgery, we try to schedule their procedure as soon as possible from their initial consultation date. But we also take the time to make sure that we are pursuing the appropriate surgery, so as not to rush into a decision. I also remind my patients that we have a team of dedicated surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who are all committed to their care. As a result, we have some of the best surgical outcomes for advanced ovarian cancer in the world. Our patients’ quality and quantity of life is our top priority.
Over the past 25 years, I have dedicated much of my research to exploring ways to expand and improve our surgical management of ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. I have published more than 100 papers on surgery for ovarian cancer, and I have been the principal investigator of many institutional and multicenter trials aimed at improving outcomes for patients with this disease. In addition, I, along with my colleagues at the University of California, Irvine, and UCLA, are working on the fourth edition of our textbook, Ovarian Cancer: Principles and Practice. I am the editor of two other textbooks, including Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology, which is considered one of the leading textbooks in our field. I have given numerous major presentations about surgery for gynecologic cancers internationally, and I am passionate about collaborating with my colleagues around the world.
Some of our current clinical investigations at MSK include identifying ways to decrease the need for blood transfusions during surgery, decrease infections and stress on the immune system, and administer heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen after the removal of cancerous tumors. I have also worked with international colleagues to establish clinical guidelines for determining who are appropriate candidates for second and third surgeries in cases of recurrent ovarian cancer. My goal is not only to improve the quality of life and long-term remission for patients with difficult cases of very advanced or recurrent disease, but also to offer hope where very little may have existed before.
In addition to my clinical and research activities, I have served on many national and international professional committees, including the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society of Memorial Gynecologic Oncologists, the Metropolitan Gynecologic Cancer Society, and the Gynecologic Cancer Task Force of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. For many years, I have been Director of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s annual postgraduate surgical courses, developed to keep gynecologic oncologists throughout the world up to date on the latest surgical treatments for patients with gynecologic cancers. I am also on the faculty of the University of California, Irvine, international course on cytoreductive surgery, as well as in the European School of Abdomino-Pelvic Surgery in Gynecologic Oncology, based in Italy. Our passionate mission is to improve the care and outcomes of patients with gynecologic cancers — not just in our own countries, but everywhere.
