Chapter 5 - Current treatment modalities in major gynecologic cancers: Emphasis on response rates

Abstract

Gynecologic cancers, regardless of type, are responsible for causing tremendous life stress that has affected many women and their families. The diagnosis followed by after-effects of treatment drastically change the lives of cancer patients and their partners. Although many cases have gone into remission with current pharmaceutical and therapeutic measures, metastasis and relapse continue to impact the response rates in these patients, which also affects quality-of-life (QoL) among survivors. For this reason, research has aimed at looking at how to improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize serious adverse events during and after treatments. In this chapter, we focused on three major gynecologic cancers: cervical, ovarian, and endometrial. The survival rates for all three of these gynecologic malignancies and the role of various components that affect the survival rate and QoL are discussed. Platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents and taxanes are the mainstay treatment in most gynecologic cancers, however, in time cause toxicity and severe adverse effects that may be long-lasting. Overall, while administration of both paclitaxel and carboplatin is the current standard first-line chemotherapeutic treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer (platinum-sensitive type), there is an ongoing investigation regarding different modes of treatment to be utilized upfront. Immunotherapy is currently being explored as an innovative therapeutic option for gynecologic cancers. Many ongoing studies are currently in the process of investigating novel agents or immunotherapies and combined treatment with traditional chemotherapy. We also look forward to more widespread vaccination programs worldwide for the prevention of HPV to decrease the risk of HPV-related cancer and disease.