New OncLive Podcast Series Launches With Focus on Gynecologic Oncology

The landscape of gynecologic oncology is rapidly evolving, driven by scientific discovery, surgical innovation, and a growing emphasis on multidisciplinary care. To bring these advances directly to practicing clinicians, OncLive has launched a new podcast series, From Discovery to Delivery: Charting Progress in Gynecologic Oncology, hosted by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

The series aims to provide in-depth conversations with leading experts on emerging science, therapeutic innovation, and evolving treatment strategies across the spectrum of gynecologic cancers. In the inaugural episode, Matulonis welcomes Taymaa May, MD, MSc, director of Ovarian Cancer Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and member of the obstetric faculty at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, to explore what’s new in gynecologic cancer surgery.

A foundation in surgical excellence

Opening the conversation, Matulonis set the tone for the series. “Surgery is a bedrock modality of treatment for [patients with] gynecologic cancers,” she said. “It felt very appropriate to begin this series by focusing on the innovations transforming how we operate and how patients recover.”

Matulonis introduced her guest by highlighting May’s extensive training and reputation for surgical precision and compassionate care. May completed her medical degree at McGill University, residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto, and fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where the two first met. After beginning her academic career at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, May returned to Boston in 2023 to lead ovarian cancer surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“Surgery is a cornerstone of treatment and often [is] the first therapeutic step for patients with gynecologic cancers,” May said. “Roughly 80% of patients will meet a surgeon early in their cancer journey, making the surgical encounter foundational for diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term outcomes.”

The rise of minimally invasive surgery

Reflecting on the major advances over the past 2 decades, May described minimally invasive surgery as one of the most transformative developments in the field. “The laparoscopic and robotic platforms have completely reshaped how we deliver surgical care,” she explained. “We can now perform the same comprehensive staging and complex procedures through smaller incisions, offering patients faster recovery and shorter hospital stays without compromising cancer outcomes.”

Beyond shorter recovery times, these techniques have also improved precision in oncologic staging and reduced complications. Building on these advances, May highlighted another leap forward: sentinel lymph node mapping.

“Lymph node mapping allows us to identify and remove only those lymph nodes most likely to harbor disease,” she said. Using infrared imaging and targeted dyes, surgeons can visualize lymphatic drainage in real time during the procedure. “This means we can stage patients with the same accuracy but with far less morbidity. The risk of complications like lower-extremity lymphedema has dramatically declined.”

Matulonis underscored the clinical impact. “That is a huge advantage,” she said. “Lymphedema was such a significant problem for so many patients in the past. Sentinel node mapping is truly a patient-centered advance.”

The critical role of the gynecologic oncologist

As the conversation turned toward care delivery, Matulonis emphasized a key message for clinicians and patients alike: the importance of being treated by a gynecologic oncology specialist.

May agreed, noting, “Multiple national studies have shown that surgical and survival outcomes are significantly better when patients are treated by a gynecologic oncologist. The expertise required for these procedures, and the nuanced decisions about whether surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination is most appropriate, really demands specialized training.”

She continued, “Surgery is not just a technical act. The decision-making process, the oncologic judgment, is central to the treatment plan. It’s about asking, ‘What is the optimal and most beneficial approach for this patient, given their tumor biology, stage, and overall health?’ That’s what guides us.”

Matulonis added that this expertise is especially critical when managing advanced gynecologic cancers, where determining whether a patient should receive upfront surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy can directly influence survival and quality of life.

Innovation in ovarian cancer surgery

Ovarian cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies in gynecologic oncology, often diagnosed at an advanced stage. May discussed the evolution of multivisceral resection techniques and the integration of new tools designed to enhance safety and precision.

“One of the key innovations we now use is fluorescence angiography,” she explained. “When we resect a segment of bowel during debulking surgery, we need to ensure the newly joined sections are well perfused to prevent leaks or complications. By injecting a fluorescent dye and visualizing blood flow in real time, we can objectively assess perfusion in less than a minute. It’s a small step that has had a major impact on outcomes.”

Matulonis remarked that such innovations address some of the most serious potential complications in major abdominal surgery. “That’s a very significant advance,” she said. “It’s incredible how technology can now guide us intraoperatively to prevent problems that once carried major morbidity.”

Preserving fertility in cervical cancer surgery

The discussion then shifted to cervical cancer, particularly among younger patients, where preserving fertility remains a vital consideration. May described the development and refinement of the radical trachelectomy, a procedure that removes the cervix and surrounding tissues while preserving the uterus.

“This approach allows us to achieve the same oncologic outcomes as a hysterectomy for select early-stage patients, while maintaining the potential for future pregnancy,” May explained. “We remove the cervix and lymph nodes through either a vaginal or minimally invasive approach and then reconstruct the anatomy to allow for fertility preservation.”

She cited her team’s recent study comparing outcomes between robotic and vaginal trachelectomy in approximately 200 patients, showing equivalent safety and survival outcomes.1 “For carefully selected patients, minimally invasive trachelectomy is a safe and effective fertility-sparing option,” she concluded.

Matulonis noted how impactful these results are for younger patients facing cancer diagnoses. “Cervical cancer is often diagnosed in people who are still of childbearing age,” she said. “These fertility-sparing advances can make an extraordinary difference in their lives.”

Personalizing surgery in advanced ovarian cancer

In addition to her surgical research, May has contributed extensively to the data guiding treatment sequencing in advanced ovarian cancer. Matulonis highlighted a retrospective study led by May that compared outcomes among nearly 300 patients with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer, evaluating whether primary debulking surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery led to better survival outcomes.2

May explained, “Ovarian cancer treatment is multifaceted. We have 2 cornerstone modalities, systemic chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery, but determining which to do first must be individualized. Every patient’s disease distribution and tumor biology are different.”

Her team found that patients with BRCA mutations who underwent primary surgery followed by chemotherapy had improved overall survival compared with those treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy first.

“This highlights the importance of personalizing care,” May said. “Even among patients with similar stages of disease, surgical operability and tumor biology can vary greatly. A tailored approach that integrates molecular data and clinical assessment is essential.”

Matulonis applauded this precision-based framework. “That’s such an important point: the need for individualized decision-making and for multidisciplinary review of each patient’s case.”

At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, May leads a weekly tumor board dedicated to reviewing imaging, pathology, and genetic findings to determine optimal therapeutic sequencing. “These decisions should always be made in collaboration with a gynecologic oncologist,” Matulonis added. “That’s where outcomes truly improve.”

Integrating innovation and team-based care

As the episode concluded, May reflected on how technology and data are transforming surgical practice. “We’re using innovative tools not only in the operating room but also in preoperative planning and recovery,” she said. “Objective risk algorithms, imaging-based assessment, and biomarkers help us predict surgical outcomes and guide patient optimization.”

Importantly, she noted that recovery itself is a critical component of treatment success. “Early and complete recovery allows patients to start adjuvant therapy, [be it] chemotherapy or radiation, on schedule, which is vital for improving survival,” May emphasized. “That’s why collaboration among surgeons, medical oncologists, anesthesiologists, and nursing teams is so essential.”

Matulonis agreed, highlighting how the field has become increasingly multidisciplinary and data-driven. “We’re now integrating genomics, surgical innovation, and systemic therapies in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago,” she said. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be in gynecologic oncology.”

Looking ahead

In closing, Matulonis thanked May for joining the first episode of the series and for her leadership in advancing the surgical management of gynecologic cancers. “Your insights into innovation, fertility preservation, and individualized care have set a wonderful tone for this new podcast,” she said.

May expressed her appreciation: “It’s been an honor to discuss these advances with you. The future of gynecologic oncology is bright, and continuing to share knowledge across institutions and specialties is how we’ll keep improving outcomes for our patients.”

As this series continues, upcoming episodes will explore evolving frontiers in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trial design in gynecologic cancers, all with the goal of equipping oncologists with the most current, clinically relevant information to enhance patient care.

With expert-driven discussions at the forefront, the series promises to be an invaluable resource for clinicians seeking to stay abreast of the fast-changing landscape of gynecologic oncology.

References

1. Nica A, Benseler A, Parbhakar A, et al. Robotic versus vaginal radical trachelectomy for reproductive-aged patients with early-stage cervical carcinoma: a multi-center cohort study. Gynecol Oncol. 2024;185:95-100. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.02.018
2. Kim SR, Parbhakar A, Li X, Bernardini MQ, Hogen L, May T. Primary cytoreductive surgery compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with BRCA mutated advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer: 10 year survival analysis. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2024;34(6):879-885. doi:10.1136/ijgc-2023-005065