ABOG Gynecologic Oncology key terms

A cervical screening strategy that tests for high-risk human papillomavirus DNA first, then sends only positive samples to cytology or colposcopy. It is more sensitive than cytology alone and permits longer screening intervals.

A standardized nomenclature for reporting cervical cytology, covering sample adequacy, squamous and glandular abnormalities, and management recommendations. It lets laboratories and clinicians communicate findings consistently.

Magnified examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva after applying acetic acid or iodine. It localizes abnormal epithelium and directs biopsy in women with abnormal screening results or visible lesions.

A procedure that removes the cervical transformation zone with a thin wire loop and electric current. It provides tissue for diagnosis while treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Surgical removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries in women with inherited high risk, such as BRCA carriers, to prevent tubal and ovarian cancer. Premenopausal removal also lowers breast cancer risk.

Testing every endometrial cancer for mismatch repair protein loss by immunohistochemistry or microsatellite instability. It identifies Lynch syndrome and predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Use of CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound to detect ovarian cancer before symptoms. Trials show no mortality benefit and many false positives in average-risk women, so screening is not recommended.

Office biopsy with a pipelle or similar device to obtain endometrial tissue for histology in women with abnormal uterine bleeding or suspected cancer. It is highly sensitive and well tolerated.

A worldwide system that assigns cancer stage I to IV from anatomic extent, guiding prognosis and treatment. Each gynecologic cancer has separate FIGO rules revised periodically.

Removal of the uterus and cervix with parametrial tissue and upper vagina for early cervical cancer. Classification systems describe how much parametrium and nerve tissue is removed.

Injection of dye or radiotracer near a tumor to identify the first draining nodes, allowing targeted removal and pathologic ultrastaging while avoiding unnecessary complete lymphadenectomy.

Surgical removal of as much visible tumor as possible, usually in advanced ovarian cancer. Residual disease after surgery strongly predicts survival and guides chemotherapy planning.

Delivery of heated chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity after cytoreductive surgery to kill microscopic residual tumor. It is used in selected ovarian and peritoneal malignancies.

Radical removal of pelvic organs, often including bladder or rectum, for centrally recurrent gynecologic cancer. It causes major morbidity and requires careful patient selection.

Removal of groin lymph nodes in vulvar cancer when sentinel biopsy is unavailable or positive. It provides staging but increases lymphedema and wound complications.

Combination chemotherapy containing a platinum drug, usually carboplatin plus paclitaxel. It is the standard first-line backbone for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.

An oral drug that blocks repair of single-strand DNA breaks, killing cancer cells with homologous recombination defects such as BRCA mutations. It is used as maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer.

A state in which DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination is impaired, often through BRCA1 or BRCA2 loss, making tumors sensitive to PARP inhibitors and platinum.

A monoclonal antibody that blocks inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 or PD-L1, restoring T-cell killing of tumor cells. It is effective in mismatch repair-deficient endometrial and other cancers.

A monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor that inhibits tumor angiogenesis. It is used with chemotherapy and as maintenance in advanced cervical and ovarian cancers.

Chemotherapy given before planned surgery to shrink tumor and improve resectability. In ovarian cancer it is used when primary cytoreduction is not feasible.

Radiation delivered from a machine outside the body in daily fractions over weeks. It treats pelvic disease, involved nodes, and symptomatic metastases in gynecologic cancers.

Placement of a radioactive source inside or next to a tumor, giving a high dose to a small volume while sparing nearby organs. It is central to cervical and endometrial cancer treatment.

Radiotherapy given with a radiosensitizing drug, usually weekly cisplatin. It improves survival over radiation alone in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Postoperative intracavitary radiation to the vaginal apex after hysterectomy. It reduces local recurrence in selected endometrial cancers with adverse risk factors.

The most common ovarian cancer subtype, usually arising from fallopian tube epithelium, with TP53 mutation, aggressive behavior, and frequent advanced-stage presentation.

A noninvasive malignant lesion of the fallopian tube fimbria. It is considered a precursor of many high-grade serous ovarian cancers.

A genetic grouping of endometrial cancer into POLE ultramutated, mismatch repair deficient, p53 abnormal, and no specific molecular profile. It predicts prognosis and may guide treatment.

A stain that is strongly positive in cervical precancer and cancer caused by high-risk HPV, reflecting viral E7-mediated cell-cycle disruption. It confirms HPV-associated lesions.

Loss of proteins that correct DNA replication errors, producing microsatellite instability and high mutation burden. It predicts immunotherapy response and suggests Lynch syndrome.

The number of mutations per megabase of tumor DNA. High burden may indicate immunotherapy sensitivity, but thresholds and assay methods vary by cancer type.

A measure comparing the instantaneous risk of an event between two groups over time. A value below 1 favors the treatment group in survival analysis.

Time from randomization until tumor progression or death from any cause. It is a common primary endpoint because it occurs sooner than overall survival.

Analysis including all randomized participants in their assigned groups, regardless of treatment received or protocol deviations. It preserves the benefits of randomization.

A trial designed to show a new treatment is not worse than standard by more than a prespecified margin. It is used when the new option is less toxic or easier to deliver.

The number of patients who must receive an intervention for one additional patient to benefit. It is the reciprocal of the absolute risk reduction.

Fever with a low neutrophil count after chemotherapy. It is an emergency requiring cultures and prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics; growth factors may prevent recurrence.

Blockage of the intestine by advanced cancer or adhesions, causing nausea, vomiting, pain, and constipation. It is managed with decompression, medications, and sometimes stenting or surgery.

Interdisciplinary care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life in serious illness. It is offered alongside curative treatment and is not limited to end-of-life care.