Semin Reprod Med 2019; 37(05/06): 222-226
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709706
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Defense

Chad A. Hamilton
1   Mid Atlantic Gynecologic Oncology and Pelvic Surgery Associates, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia
2   Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Inova Center for Personalized Health, Falls Church, Virginia
,
George L. Maxwell
2   Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Inova Center for Personalized Health, Falls Church, Virginia
3   Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
,
Yovanni Casablanca
3   Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 May 2020 (online)

Abstract

Gynecologic oncology existed within the Department of Defense (DOD) prior to its recognition as a separate subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology. Military gynecologic oncologists were among the founders of the specialty and continue a tradition of leadership and engagement within the field at the national and international level. The full range of gynecologic oncology services is located at the military's largest medical centers, acknowledging the team approach with multiple subspecialties necessary to provide the highest standard of modern gynecologic cancer care. Gynecologic oncologists within the military receive training on par or exceeding that of their civilian counterparts, and their education extends beyond traditional training to prepare them for the unique challenges within military medicine as well. The clinical offerings from these practitioners and their facilities are state of the art, and each offers the full spectrum of care inclusive of surgery and chemotherapy. Closely coupled with expert clinical care is medical education and comprehensive cancer research. The gynecologic oncology research conducted by the DOD spans the scientific spectrum from basic laboratory investigations, to translational and molecular analyses, to all phases of clinical trials. This discussion will examine gynecologic oncology services in the DOD inclusive of infrastructure, personnel and training, clinical care and outcomes, as well as research contributions.

Disclaimer

The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of Uniformed Services University or the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.


 
  • References

  • 1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020
  • 2 Averette HE, Wrennick A, Angioli R. History of gynecologic oncology subspecialty. Surg Clin North Am 2001; 81 (04) 747-751
  • 3 Society of Gynecologic Oncology. History. Available at: http://www.sgo.org/about-sgo/history . Accessed February 24, 2020
  • 4 Robert C Park Society. About Robert C. Park. Available at: http://www.robertcparksociety.org . Accessed August 1, 2018
  • 5 GOG Foundation. Available at: https://www.gog.org . Accessed February 24, 2020
  • 6 Tricare. Plans. Available at: http://www.tricare.mil/plans/eligibility . Accessed February 23, 2020
  • 7 Lee T, Williams VF, Clark LL. Incident diagnoses of cancers in the active component and cancer-related deaths in the active and reserve components, U.S. Armed Forces, 2005-2014. MSMR 2016; 23 (07) 23-31
  • 8 Zhu K, Devesa SS, Wu H. , et al. Cancer incidence in the U.S. military population: comparison with rates from the SEER program. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009; 18 (06) 1740-1745
  • 9 Kang HK, Mahan CM, Lee KY, Magee CA, Selvin S. Prevalence of gynecologic cancers among female Vietnam veterans. J Occup Environ Med 2000; 42 (11) 1121-1127
  • 10 Phippen NT, Barnett JC, Lowery WJ, Miller CR, Leath III CA. Surgical outcomes and National Comprehensive Cancer Network compliance in advanced ovarian cancer surgery in a low volume military treatment facility. Gynecol Oncol 2013; 131 (01) 158-162
  • 11 Anderson DM, Darcy KM, Georg M. , et al. Survival outcomes in epithelial ovarian cancer patients in an equal access health system compared with the National Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Abstract # MHSRS-19–02075 and Poster Presentation #697 during the Updates on Military Women's Health Session during the 2019 Military Health System Research Symposium in Kissimmee, FL; August 19–22, 2019
  • 12 USUHS. Available at: https://usuhs.edu/centers . Accessed February 24, 2020
  • 13 National Cancer Institute. Applied Proteogenomics OrganizationaL Learning and Outcomes (APOLLO) Network. Available at: https://proteomics.cancer.gov/news_and_announcements/applied-proteogenomics-organizational-learning-and-outcomes-apollo-network . Accessed August 30, 2018
  • 14 Lee JSH, Darcy KM, Hu H. , et al. From discovery to practice and survivorship: building a national real-world data learning healthcare framework for military and veteran cancer patients. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019; 106 (01) 52-57