OBGYN & Women’s Health

Gynecological cancer uniquely affects health-related quality of life. A 2023 literature review reports that treatment side effects such as fatigue, pain, and sexual dysfunction impact psychological well-being. Younger patients and those in advanced stages generally experience greater challenges. Tailoring treatment approaches and implementing supportive care can help improve health-related quality of life for survivors. Gynecological...

In a retrospective cohort study, racial disparities in the use of medications and interventions near end of life were observed among patients with advanced gynecologic cancer.  Palliative medicine improves outcomes in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Studies on palliative medicine in cancer have minimal representation from minority groups. A retrospective cohort study published in the journal...

Intermittent relacorilant + nab-paclitaxel improves survival outcomes and response duration in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer compared to nab-paclitaxel monotherapy, according to the results of a phase II study. Treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is challenging. Most patients who initially respond to platinum-based chemotherapy eventually develop resistance. Patient outcomes are poor in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer treated...

Mortality rates generally highest for infants of Black and American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic women There is variation in infant mortality rates across maternal race and Hispanic-origin groups and by selected maternal characteristics, according to the March 5 National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the National Center for Health Statistics. Danielle M. Ely, Ph.D.,...

A phase III study suggests that olaparib-bevacizumab is not only effective for high-risk (of relapse) HRD-positive tumors but is even more effective for low-risk patients in prolonging progression-free survival. Cure is the ultimate goal of ovarian cancer treatment; however, ovarian cancer patients are often first diagnosed at advanced stages, with an increased risk of relapse....

The phase 2 DAISY trial confirms that T-DXd efficacy depends on HER2 expression in breast cancer cases. However, it shows that T-DXd also has moderate activity in HER2-non-expressing patients, suggesting an alternative mechanism of action. Breast cancer is among the five most common causes of cancer mortality. Despite improvements in its treatment, 5-year survival rates...

No benefit seen for stillbirth, early neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission Repeat placental growth factor (PlGF) testing in pregnant women with suspected preeclampsia is not associated with improved perinatal outcomes, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in The Lancet. Alice Hurrell, from King’s College London, and colleagues assessed whether repeat PlGF-based testing reduces...

by Deileta Kamhunga Post-surgical circulating tumor DNA detection is predictive of poor recurrence-free survival in stage I endometrial cancer patients, according to a recent retrospective analysis. Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy of the female reproductive tract. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a blood-based biomarker, predicts disease outcomes and detects molecular relapse ahead...

Trastuzumab deruxtecan shows robust efficacy, durable clinical benefit, and safety consistent with the known profile in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-expressing tumors in a phase II study. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed antibody-drug conjugate, is currently approved for treating HER2-expressing breast and gastric cancers and HER2-mutant non-small cell...