Author Archives: International Gynecologic Cancer Society

Gynecologic Oncology News & Press

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A compilation of articles, news, study results and other updates in the field of gynecologic oncology.

Entries with titles highlighted in red may be of particular interest to survivors, caregivers or the general public.

PARP Inhibitor Becomes Standard of Care for Advanced Ovarian Cancer Subset
February 7, 2020: Oncology Nursing News – Frontline niraparib (Zejula) is the new standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed, platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer, after the positive results from the phase III PRIMA trial, explained Antonio González-Martín, MD, lead author in the study. Read more.

World Health Organization Outlines Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Low to Middle Income Countries
February 5, 2020: Cure – The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its plans for eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem among low-income to middle-income countries by fully vaccinating 90% of girls by 15 years old, screen 70% of women between the ages of 35 and 45 and provide 90% of patients with disease receiving care. The organization believes not only will this eliminate cervical cancer in these regions within this century, but also prevent millions of deaths, according to two modeling analyses published in The Lancet. Read more.

MEK/PI3K Inhibitor Combo Generates Activity in RAS/BRAF-Mutant Ovarian Cancer
February 4, 2020: Targeted Oncology – Continuous dosing of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib (Mektovi) plus buparlisib (BKM120), a PI3K inhibitor, demonstrated promising activity as treatment of patients with ovarian cancer harboring either a RAS or BRAF mutation, according to results from a phase Ib clinical trial (NCT01363232). Read more.

ASCO Guideline: Germline Testing Recommended for All Women Diagnosed With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
February 4, 2020: Cancer Therapy Advisor – A retrospective study showed improved survival among patients with ovarian cancer treated with beta-
All women with a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer should be offered testing for specific germline mutations, according to a new recommendation from ASCO. Read more.

Cervical cancer elimination ‘could be achieved’ by 2120
February 3, 2020: Healio – High HPV vaccination coverage for girls and scaled-up screening and treatment may lead to the elimination of cervical cancer in most lower-middle-income countries over the next 100 years, according to results of two modeling studies published in The Lancet. Read more.

Women’s wellness: researchers look at post menopause as key factor in endometrial cancer
February 3, 2020: Medical Xpress – Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy in the U.S. and the fourth most common cancer among women. In addition, endometrial cancer incidence rates are on the rise in the western world, suggesting that alterations in environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and the vaginal microbiome may be important drivers in its cause. Read more.

Ipilimumab Shows Tolerability and Signals Efficacy in Advanced Cervical Cancer
January 28, 2020: Targeted Oncology – The phase I study of sequential ipilimumab (Yervoy) after chemoradiotherapy as a curative-intent treatment of patients with node-positive cervical cancer included 34 female patients with stage Ib2 to VI cervical cancer with positive pelvic lymph nodes, para-aortic lymph nodes, or both. Read more.

Use of intrauterine devices may decrease risk for ovarian cancer
January 21, 2020: Healio – Previous studies have linked the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) to reduced risk for cervical and uterine cancer. Based on these findings, Saketh R. Guntupalli, MD, associate professor and director of the division of gynecologic oncology at University of Colorado School of Medicine, and colleagues examined the possible correlation between IUD use and risk for ovarian cancer. Read more.

Is it still reasonable to offer MIS hysterectomy? No.
January 20, 2020: Contemporary OB/GYN – Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader discusses the con side of the MIS argument from the LACC trial controversy. Read more.

Is it still reasonable to offer MIS hysterectomy? Yes.
January 20, 2020: Contemporary OB/GYN – Dr. Wendell Nauman discusses the pro side of the MIS argument from the LACC trial controversy. Read more.

While survival rates soar for other cancers, funding gaps limit progress on cervical and uterine cancer
January 10, 2020: The Verge – There are limited treatment advances for aggressive forms of these diseases. Read more.

Keytruda Approved for BCG-Unresponsive, High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
January 9, 2020: Cancer Therapy Advisor – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Keytruda (pembrolizumab; Merck) for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy. Read more.

Education Highlight: Select Webcasts

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Education Highlight: IGCS 2019 Annual Global Meeting Webcasts

Did you miss IGCS 2019 in Rio? Were you there and could not attend all the talks you wanted to? Like every meeting there was an abundance of excellent presentations including new research, clinical trials and review sessions.

This month we highlight two sessions from Rio which we hope you will find interesting and relevant to your practice. Members can view these two webcasts in the Member Education Portal.

Translating Endometrial Molecular Risk Stratification To Endometrioid Ovarian Carcinoma: A Novel Application Of Precision Medicine
7 minute presentation
Dr. Pauline Kramer and colleagues applied the validated Proactive Molecular risk Classifier for Endometrial cancer (ProMisE) to an international cohort of over 500 well characterized endometrioid ovarian carcinomas. All four molecular subtypes were identified (POLEmut, mismatch repair deficient (MMRd), p53wt/NSMP and p53abnormal(p53abn)), and molecular subtype was associated with clinical outcomes (PFS, DSS) including no recurrence events within POLEmut at 10 years and very poor outcomes within p53abn (only ~ 50% survival at 10 years). Association of outcomes with ProMisE was maintained on multivariable analysis. Possible utility of this molecular framework to endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinomas is discussed.

Concerv: A Prospective Trial Of Conservative Surgery For Low-Risk Early Stage Cervical Cancer
15 minute presentation
Dr. Kathleen Schmeler shares the results of an international collaborative prospective single arm study assessing the safety and feasibility of simple (non-radical) hysterectomy or cone biopsy with lymph node (LN) assessment for early stage cervical carcinoma and with favorable pathology characteristics. Final analysis includes 100 patients with a 4.3% recurrence rate observed thus far. Lymph node (LN) involvement was diagnosed in 5% of women confirming the importance of LN assessment. Further follow-up is needed to determine if long-term oncologic outcomes are comparable to women who had undergone radical procedures and two additional prospective studies (SHAPE, GOG 278) in early cervical carcinoma are pending which will also help clarify if less aggressive surgical approach is safe.

See more: View over 150 presentations from the 2019 Annual Global Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Now Accepting Abstracts for IGCS 2020

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Submit your Abstracts for IGCS 2020

Submission Deadline: May 1, 2020

IGCS is seeking all medical professionals who are a part of the gynecologic and breast cancer care team to submit abstracts for the 2020 Annual Global Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society which will be held in Rome, Italy from September 10 – 12, 2020.

We are currently accepting abstracts to be considered for oral or poster presentation. All abstracts must be original work, and not previously published or orally presented at other scientific meetings. Select posters will be chosen as oral presentations for the featured poster session: “Walk the Posters with a Professor” in the exhibit hall.

Surgical film submissions will be accepted from April 1 – May 15.

Abstract Topics:

Basic/Translational Science
Genetics And Epidemiology
Imaging/Staging
Gynecologic Pathology/Cytology & Disease Pathogenesis
Cervical Cancer
Uterine Cancer Including Sarcoma
Ovarian Cancer
Rare Tumors & Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
Vulvar & Vaginal Cancer

Early Phase Clinical Trials
Trials In Progress
Symptom Management/Supportive Cancer Care
Nursing & Health Care
Global Health
Surgical Techniques & Perioperative Management
Surgical Films
Breast
Pre-Invasive Disease
Palliative Care

Click Here To Submit

If you have questions or need assistance, please email igcs2020@mci-group.com.

IGCS & WOCC Join Forces

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Announcing a Strategic Advocacy Partnership Between the International Gynecologic Cancer Society and the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition

It is my pleasure to announce a Strategic Advocacy Partnership between the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) and the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC). This partnership maximizes the collective influence, membership, force, and reach of these two premiere organizations and establishes a framework through which they will provide tangible benefit to gynecologic cancer survivors-patients worldwide, with special emphasis on ovarian cancer.

Established in 2016, WOCC is a not-for-profit organization with 145 patient advocacy organization partners in 37 countries. WOCC works to ensure that every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life possible, wherever she may live. Its mission aligns perfectly with that of the IGCS of enhancing the care of women with gynecologic cancer worldwide. Uniting the globe in the fight against gynecologic cancers since 1985, IGCS currently has over 3,200 members in 115 countries. The membership of both organizations encompasses low-, middle-, and high-resource countries, consistent with their commitment to global health equity.

Elisabeth Baugh, Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, explains, “As the largest global ovarian cancer patient advocacy network, the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is committed to making a difference to the lives of all women affected by ovarian cancer. This strategic partnership creates a powerful global advocacy movement, uniting and strengthening patient and clinical voices to act as a force for urgent change. It is our firm belief that we will achieve much more together.”

With each organization retaining its independence, focus, and governance and with each committed to mobilizing outstanding global leadership, experts, and advocacy to reduce the burden of gynecologic cancers globally, this partnership does indeed represent a formidable force for change.

Emphasizing the importance of advocacy partnerships, IGCS President Roberto Angioli notes, “This partnership with the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is representative of our commitment to working collaboratively with advocates worldwide to ensure best outcomes for all women and families affected by gynecologic cancers. We will continue to partner with local, regional, and global advocacy groups across all gynecologic cancer sites. These partnerships are essential to our mission.”

And, specifically, in activating this partnership, we will

  • Launch the WOCC’s Global Ovarian Cancer Charter—a call-to-action to all involved in the care of ovarian cancer survivors-patients—during the 2020 IGCS Annual Global Meeting in Rome.
  • Convene cancer site-specific partnership meetings and other forums that support the IGCS-initiated Global Advocacy Network focused on gynecologic cancers.
  • Integrate into IGCS, WOCC, and other international meetings, our individual organization-specific, mission-driven programming that supports advocacy broadly.

Together, IGCS and WOCC will amplify the global voices of gynecologic cancer survivors-patients and will prompt and accelerate change that expands awareness and options, improving survival rates and survivorship. To manage joint initiatives, each organization has a dedicated partnership lead—Dicey Jackson Scroggins, IGCS Director of Global Outreach & Engagement, and Clara MacKay, WOCC Executive Director.

We are well positioned to take on the challenges and excited by the opportunities to benefit women and families—wherever and under whatever circumstance they might live.

Sincerely,

Mary Eiken, MS
IGCS Chief-Executive Officer

IJGC: Latest Content

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See the latest articles, videos and podcasts.

The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer (IJGC) is the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to detection, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gynecologic malignancies. Its content is read by gynecologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and research scientists with a special interest in gynecological oncology. IJGC emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach and includes original research, reviews, and video articles.

(FREE ARTICLES)

EDITORIAL

Quality indicators in cervical cancer surgery: a valiant step in the right direction
Pedro T Ramirez

LEAD ARTICLE

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology quality indicators for surgical treatment of cervical cancer 
David Cibula, François Planchamp, Daniela Fischerova, Christina Fotopoulou, Christhardt Kohler, Fabio Landoni, Patrice Mathevet, Raj Naik, Jordi Ponce, Francesco Raspagliesi, Alexandros Rodolakis, Karl Tamussino, Cagatay Taskiran, Ignace Vergote, Pauline Wimberger, Ane Gerda Zahl Eriksson, Denis Querleu

CASE STUDY

Placental site trophoblastic disease
Guido Martin Rey Valzacchi, Diego Odetto, Carolina Beatriz Chacon, Alejandra Wernicke, Yang Xiang

Can somatic BRCA2 status solve a case of olaparib monotherapy resistance? 
Antonella Pietragalla, Angelo Minucci, Claudia Marchetti, Giovanni Scambia, Anna Fagotti

CORNERS OF THE WORLD

Sentinel lymph node detection in patients with cervical cancer in a public hospital in Guatemala
Erick Estuardo Estrada

Passion for saving lives: Turkey between 2012 and 2017 
Murat Gultekin, Semra Hatice Turan, Guledal Boztas, Cansu Öztürk, Ezgi Hacikamiloğlu

Connecting frontline providers in Africa with distant experts to improve patients’ outcomes through Project ECHO: a successful experience in Cameroon
Joel Fokom Domgue, Ellen Baker, Florence Manjuh, Melissa Lopez, Thomas Welty, Kathleen M Schmeler

Telementoring in gynecologic oncology training: changing lives in Mozambique 
Renato Moretti-Marques, Mila Pontremoli Salcedo, Donato Callegaro Filho, Andre Lopes, Marcelo Vieira, Geórgia Fontes Cintra, Magda Ribeiro, Dércia Changule, Siro Daud, Ricardina Rangeiro, Ellen Baker, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Jose Humberto Tavares Guerreiro Fregnani, Kathleen M Schmeler

VIDEO ARTICLE

Robotic debulking of confluent pelvic lymph nodes 
Hubert Fornalik, Nicole Fornalik

Sentinel lymph node mapping for uterine cancer: a practical illustration of injection and mapping techniques using robot-assisted fluorescence imaging 
Jennifer J Mueller, Mario M Leitao

Right diaphragmatic peritonectomy for ovarian carcinomatosis in 10 steps 
Martina Aida Angeles, Carlos Martínez-Gómez, Federico Migliorelli, Elodie Chantalat, Alejandra Martinez, Gwenael Ferron

Bricker ileal conduit diversion in 10 steps 
Carlos Martínez-Gómez, Martina Aida Angeles, Claire Sanson, Malavaud Bernard, Alejandra Martinez, Gwenael Ferron

Intra-operative identification of ureters using indocyanine green for gynecological oncology procedures
María Cabanes, Felix Boria, Alicia Hernández Gutiérrez, Ignacio Zapardiel

Laparoscopic intra-operative ultrasound-guided bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in a BRCA2 mutated patient 
Matteo Bruno, Ilaria De Blasis, Benito Marinucci, Antonia Carla Testa, Giovanni Scambia, Anna Fagotti

Sentinel lymph node in apparent early ovarian cancer: open technique 
Victor Lago, Pilar Bello, María Tiermes Marina Martín, Beatriz Montero, Pablo Padilla-Iserte, Susana Lopez, Luis Matute, Santiago Domingo

IGCS Year-End Overview

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This past year, the International Gynecologic Cancer Society has achieved great things thanks to the support and contributions of our members.

In 2020, we hope to accomplish even more together.

Thank you for being a part of our global community, united through our dedication to enhance the care of women with gynecologic cancer worldwide through education and training and public awareness.

Wishing you all the best in the new year!

2020 Council Nominations & Elections

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Dear IGCS Member,

We are currently seeking committed volunteers to apply for leadership positions to help guide the society’s strategic direction and work towards our mission of uniting the globe in the fight against gynecologic cancers.

Why we need Leaders to Volunteer for Council Service

Perhaps the most important and influential part of what we do as a society is ensuring that our leadership is comprised of experienced and dedicated members to carry out our mission of improving outcomes for women affected by gynecologic cancer through teaching, mentorship and training.

Our council and committees now reflect the gender and diversity of our membership and we have become a truly international society reaching out to all corners of the globe. It is even now more important that future councils are truly representative of our global membership. To this end, the IGCS region previously assigned to Europe, Africa and the Middle East has now been divided into separate regions to ensure better representation.

Open Council Positions in 2020

  • President Elect (from Asia or Oceania, based on rotation)
  • Vice President (global region unspecified)
  • Secretary-Treasurer Elect (global region unspecified)
  • Four Council Members
    • Gynecologic Oncologist practicing in the Americas (North, Central, or South) or the Caribbean
    • Gynecologic Oncologist practicing in Europe
    • Gynecologic Oncologist practicing in Asia or Oceania
    • Radiation Oncologist (global region unspecified)

View the current Council roster here.

Self-Nominations

If you are interested in serving on the Council, please submit a completed application form with your digital photograph and recent CV. If you know someone whom you feel should serve, please encourage them to apply.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 16, 2020.

All active Members are eligible to apply for council service, including Strategic Alliance Partners, except for Senior Members. If you are considering applying, please check that your IGCS Membership is current and that you have renewed for 2020.

Review complete information about the open positions and the nominations and election process here.

Nominating Committee: Slate Selection

IGCS uses a transparent and balanced approach to reviewing and scoring the applications. Our bylaws specify that the Nominating Committee consists of the Past President (chair), current President, President-Elect and two IGCS members at large (appointed by the chair and approved by council).

2020 Nominating Committee:

  • Michael Quinn (Australia)
  • Roberto Angioli (Italy)
  • Robert Coleman (USA)
  • June Liu (China)
  • Amita Maheshwari (India)

Each applicant will be scored individually by each committee member without discussion, using pre-determined criteria. The committee will then meet to discuss the scores and determine the best slate of candidates to be presented to the council for approval and finally to the membership for vote. No more than three (3) candidates shall be slated for each open position.

Open Elections & Regional Voting Segments

The election will be managed by an independent company that specializes in conducting secure elections for groups such as ours. Members with voting rights will be emailed an electronic ballot with information about each candidate at the beginning of April. Online voting will remain open for 30 days and announcement of those elected by majority vote will occur mid-May.

New Policy: Starting with this election, IGCS is implementing segmented voting for regional Council member positions to allow regions to elect their representatives. Regional Council members will be elected by majority vote of IGCS members residing in the specified region. For example, only members residing in European countries are eligible to vote for the European Council member representative.

All members with voting rights may cast votes for candidates running for Officer positions (President Elect, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer Elect) and Council member positions of unspecified global region.

If you have any questions or comments about the process please contact our CEO, Mary Eiken at mary.eiken@igcs.org.

Sincerely,

Prof. Michael Quinn
IGCS Nominating Committee Chair & Immediate Past President

Congratulations to IGCS Global Curriculum Graduates!

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Congratulations to the first three fellows completing their two-year training and final examinations through the IGCS Gynecologic Oncology Global Curriculum & Mentorship Program!

Dr. Benjamin Elly Odongo
Moi University Hospital, Kenya
Dr. Jerome Katumba
Uganda Cancer Institute
Dr. Mariam Nabwire
Uganda Cancer Institute

The Global Curriculum was established in 2017 under the leadership of then-IGCS President, Michael Quinn. It is a comprehensive education, training, and mentorship program designed for regions around the world that do not currently have formal training in gynecologic oncology. There are now 12 training sites utilizing the IGCS program under the leadership and guidance of Drs. Tom Randall and Linus Chuang.

The program at Moi University in Kenya has been in place for about 10 years, producing a number of gynecologic cancer specialists practicing in Kenya and Uganda. Dr. Benjamin Elly Odongo is the first to complete the Moi University program with the IGCS Global Curriculum in place. The program at the Uganda Cancer Institute was initiated more recently in 2017, utilizing the IGCS Global Curriculum from the start. Notably, Drs. Mariam Nabwire and Jerome Katumba are the first gynecologic oncologists to be trained locally in Uganda.

Instrumental to the program’s success is the hard work of the fellows, local faculty and administrators at each facility who are committed to implementing the curriculum and working to ensure its sustainability over time. We also acknowledge the dedication and support of the international mentors from established institutions and faculty contributors who participate in monthly Project ECHO virtual tumor board video conferences. Finally, we’d like to thank Dr. Allan Covens for his efforts as Chair of the Final Examination Committee.

To learn more about the program, please download the 2019 Annual Report.

Those who would like to learn more about how to contribute to the mentorship and training aspects of this program, please email mary.eiken@igcs.org.

Dr. Benjamin Elly Odongo
Moi University Hospital, Kenya
Fellowship Training Completed: 2019

“The IGCS Fellowship, especially the time spent to prepare for the ECHO tumor boards made me realize that no matter how busy I thought I was, I had to find time for reading, or surrender myself to self-chosen ignorance.

Having local mentors made me understand that there are abilities within us which have not yet been developed and can be developed further particularly the skills to manage patients with gynecological malignancies locally, the resource limitations notwithstanding.

The international mentors and the time spent at The University of Toronto led me to the discovery of the fundamental fact that we are continually learning new things and that the problems which perplex us in our part of the world can be solved through leadership, research and commitment. I am therefore proceeding to advocate for implementation of cancer prevention strategies, support efforts towards improving the capacity to make accurate cancer diagnosis, provision of treatment including palliative and end of life care.”

See more about the program in Kenya.

Dr. Jerome Katumba
Uganda Cancer Institute
Fellowship Training Completed: 2019

“I am extremely excited by the great achievement of completing the IGCS Fellowship and becoming one of the first gynecologic oncologists locally trained in Uganda. This fellowship has enriched my knowledge and skills in the field of gynecologic oncology and has completely changed my approach and practice in the management of patients.

I extend my sincere gratitude to my local and external mentors who toiled to impart us with the knowledge and skills during the training. I am also beholden by the hospitality and shadowing experience I enjoyed from the staff of the University of California San Francisco Hospital, North Carolina University Hospital and Duke University Hospital.

Bravo IGCS Fellowship Team! Keep the candle burning.”

Dr. Mariam Nabwire
Uganda Cancer Institute
Fellowship Training Completed: 2019

“The cogitation to initiate the gynecologic oncology fellowship training program in Uganda is a great turning point. The extensive support provided by the IGCS, our external mentors, and the local mentors has led to a successful fellowship program.

I am honored to be one of the first two gynecologic oncologists trained in Uganda. We plan to set up the Uganda gynecologic oncology association to ensure quality and sustainability of gynecologic oncology services in Uganda and Africa at large.”

See more about the program in Uganda.

Thoughts from Mentors & Leaders

“Congratulations to the first three international fellows to pass the final exam for the IGCS Gynecologic Oncology Global Curriculum and Mentorship Program. We are incredibly proud of our fellows and want to thank our local and international mentors for their dedication and support. Together they are changing the care and outcomes of women with gynecologic cancers around the globe.”

– Dr. Kathleen Schmeler (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
IGCS Mentorship & Training Committee Chair & International Mentor for the Mozambique Fellowship Program

“This is a really important day for IGCS. The implications for the care of women from disadvantaged backgrounds are enormous and truly reflect our mission to improve outcomes by teaching and training. Our challenge now is to get the resources to expand the program and to ensure that our new international specialists continue to be supported. Sincere congratulations to all concerned.”

-Dr. Michael Quinn
IGCS Past President and Founder of the Global Curriculum & Mentorship Program

“I am immensely proud of Mariam Nabwire and Jerome Katumba for their achievement in successfully completing their fellowship. They are the first two fellows to graduate from the Uganda program. Their success embodies all the efforts from the current local faculty including Drs. Anthony Okoth, Jane Namugga, Carolyn Nakisige, Judith Ajeani, Miriam Nakalembe; and from the administration including Drs. Jackson Orem, Annettee Nakimuli, and Nixon Niyonzima.

The initial vision for gynecologic oncology sub-specialization came from the prior Head of Department for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, almost 10 years ago. With his leadership combined with Dr. Jackson Orem, the Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute, and leadership from Makerere University, Mulago Hospital, and the Ministry of Health, the gynecologic oncology fellowship in Uganda began in October 2017.

The partnership with IGCS strengthened the curriculum and processes to achieve excellence in the quality of training. With IGCS funding support, Jerome and Mariam were able to complete an 8 week observership in the United States that they both found very meaningful for their training. In addition, the support from other passionate global educators from IGCS has been very rewarding to me.

I am very grateful for the commitment of all the external mentors, especially Dr. Stefanie Ueda. With her experience, I learned how to navigate mentorship and leadership in a challenging setting with many stakeholders involved. I owe many thanks to Duke, especially Dr. Andrew Berchuck, who supported and believed in me to make a difference. Finally, I am grateful to the women in Uganda to trust their care in us as we continue to do our best to improve their gynecologic oncology outcomes.”

-Dr. Paula Lee (Duke University Hospital)
International Mentor for the Uganda Fellowship Program

“On behalf of myself and Dr. Barry Rosen, and the local supervisors Drs. Omenge, Tonui, and Itsura, we congratulate Dr. Elly Benjamin on his successful completion of the IGCS Global Curriculum in Gynecologic Oncology. He is a special and unique individual. We are proud of both his accomplishments, and the tremendous success of our program at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya.

Our program has been running for approximately 10 yrs, and has produced a number of gynecologic oncologists currently practicing in Kenya and Uganda. Dr. Benjamin’s accomplishment as one of the first to formally pass the IGCS training program in gynecologic oncology highlights his and our success, and is inspiring for all training programs and individuals working in low resource countries.

The collaborative efforts of the IGCS team, combined with the dedication of the international mentors, local supervisors, in addition to all the individuals participating on the monthly ECHO calls embodies the value and importance this initiative is to so many.

We hope Elly is just one of many such individuals to successfully complete this training program in the future.”

-Dr. Allan Covens (University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center)
International Mentor for the Moi University Fellowship Program

Membership Milestone – 3200 Members!

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President’s Perspective

Dear Colleagues,

As I reflect on the past three years, our society was made up of about 900 members, mostly from the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Today, IGCS has transformed into a truly global organization with over 3200 members in 115 countries across the globe.

The IGCS Council, along with our new administrative structure led by our CEO, Mary Eiken, set goals to grow our membership and balance the representation between high-, middle-, and low-income countries.

IGCS began engaging members in new ways to enhance our programs, with a focus on mentorship and training, online education, and outreach to improve the gynecologic cancer care worldwide. She guided Council to re-imagine our membership strategy, utilizing the strength of our collaborative relationships with key leaders and gynecologic oncology groups around the world.

Due to these efforts over the past three years, IGCS’s global presence has spread – especially in Latin America, Central and Eastern Asia, and Africa.
The most recent growth that has pushed us over the threshold of 3000 came from the United States, Canada, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.
Much of this growth has emanated from our Strategic Alliance Partner Program in which we have formed mutually beneficial alliances with regional and international gynecologic oncology groups whose objectives are consistent and aligned with our own.

The partnerships unite us, allowing for closer dialogue, idea sharing, and a forum for information and collaboration in finding solutions to the many issues that face us all.

They also allow us to align our voices in the global arena in many ways, including our interactions with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), The World Health Organization (WHO) and others. The voice is more powerful and impactful when we stand together.

I must express my gratitude to all our partners for their willingness to join us and work together to achieve our common goals. The IGCS motto has always been “to unite the globe in the fight against gynecologic cancers.” From my perspective, we operate by this guiding principle and I am honored that our members, supporters, and partners place their trust in us to be the global voice of gynecologic cancers.

IGCS is grateful for those who have been loyal, long-standing members of the IGCS and those who are new to IGCS residing in high-income regions of the world. These members provide such a wealth of knowledge, passion and desire to make a difference. IGCS so appreciates their efforts in making all of our programs successful and impactful.

So many of you regularly reach out and ask, “How can I get involved and help?” Those who are interested in becoming involved – we can always use multidisciplinary volunteers to serve as expert contributors on Project ECHO virtual tumor board calls. Monthly video conferences are conducted with 17 different sites. If you’d like to volunteer, please complete this brief online form so we can assess your availability for the calls.

For the nonmember friends of IGCS, we hope you will consider membership in 2020. We continue to place a major focus on our expanding repertoire of membership benefits, programs, and opportunities for involvement. There truly are many reasons to be a part of the IGCS.

In closing, one thing is for certain, we would not be celebrating this membership milestone without the efforts of our dedicated team of volunteers. Leaders on the IGCS Council, committees and work groups are engaged every day and work tirelessly to improve the lives of women affected by gynecologic cancers worldwide. We have accomplished so much together already, and I look forward to the future with optimism.

Sincerely,

Roberto Angioli, MD
2018-2020 IGCS President

Education Highlight: IGCS 2019 Webcasts

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Education Highlight: IGCS 2019 Annual Global Meeting Webcasts
Over 150 recorded presentations (webcasts) from the 2019 IGCS Annual Global Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro September 19-21, 2019 are now available.

The IGCS 2019 scientific program included live surgical videos with commentary, pro/con debates, case discussions with expert panels, region-specific sessions, and much more.

All of this excellent educational content is publicly available on the IGCS website through January 1, 2020.

IGCS Members will have continued access to these recordings and more through the IGCS online Education Portal. Presentations are being categorized by topic will be uploaded to our member’s Education Portal in the next several weeks

Not a member? Join today to access our entire library of educational videos and resources. See more Education Highlights.

Enjoy!

View Webcasts