The goal of the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Gynecologic Tumors is to increase early detection of gynecologic cancers and actively monitor people at elevated risk of developing gynecological cancers, so that interventions can be offered at the right time.
Understanding Your Risk
Gynecologic tumors include ovarian, endometrial/uterine, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and fallopian tube cancers. Cancer can occur for a variety of reasons, but some people have a higher risk because of genetics, family history, or the presence of precursor lesions. Our team can help you assess if you are at elevated risk and would benefit from being seen by a provider.
What Are Precursor Conditions?
Precursor conditions are early phases of diseases that may develop into cancers. Precursors of gynecologic tumors include endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN).
Our Services
Our multidisciplinary approach to care ensures patients benefit from the care of gynecologist-oncologists, surgeons and advanced practice providers who are experts in gynecologic cancer and the latest early detection and interception strategies for individuals at elevated risk. We offer genetic counseling, advanced diagnostics, individualized risk assessment, access to clinical research studies, social support, and more.
Advanced Diagnostics
Our Center offers advanced diagnostic and sequencing technology to diagnose and assess each patient's condition.
Our specialists provide patients with individualized assessments of their risk of progression to gynecologic cancers and ongoing monitoring. This may include surgical interventions, participation in clinical trials of novel therapies and/or lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Condition-Specific Expertise
Patients meet with a gynecologist-oncologist, surgeon-scientist or advanced practice provider with an in-depth knowledge of risk factors and screening methods for gynecologic cancers. The provider will conduct an individualized assessment of the patient’s risk for developing cancer and work with the patient to identify the best management option.
Providers will discuss surgical options, hormonal therapy recommendations, and screening procedures such as PAP smears, endometrial and vulvar biopsies, screening ultrasounds and other imaging.
Genetic Counseling
Patients may be evaluated by an experienced genetic counselor to discuss their personal and family health history, cancer risk, additional cancer screening recommendations, and potential strategies to lower the risk of progression.
Additionally, if a patient being actively followed in our Genetics and Prevention Clinic develops a precursor condition, they will have access to our providers in the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Gynecologic Tumors.
Clinical Trial Opportunities
Our team is committed to advancing research of early detection and interception strategies. For patients today, this means access to clinical trials of new tests and therapies, as well as the opportunity to participate in biobanking studies.
Social Support
Patient navigators, psychologists, and social workers are available by referral to offer patients resources and support.
Meet Our Team
Physicians
Kevin Elias, MD
Physician
Director, Gynecologic Oncology Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Genetic Counselors
Karina Franca, MS, CGC
Liz Kearns, MS, CGC