[Past, present and future of oncology]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Pathology

Context:

• The historical progression of cervical cancer understanding and treatment is examined.
• Key milestones include early histological descriptions, diagnostic advancements, and treatment de-escalation.
• The evolution spans from carcinoma in situ identification to contemporary individualized surgical management.

Purpose:

• To present a comprehensive overview of the past, present, and future of oncology, using cervical cancer as a model.
• To highlight significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.
• To discuss the integration of molecular methods in future cancer care.

Summary:

• The history of cervical cancer management involves early histological identification (carcinoma in situ), development of early diagnosis via colposcopy and cytology, and reduced treatment radicality based on morphogenesis studies.
• Current treatment is personalized, guided by tumor size (MRI) and intraoperative lymph node assessment (frozen section histology).
• While molecular techniques represent the future, surgery remains the cornerstone of cervical cancer treatment, with inherited factors playing a minor role.

Impact:

• Demonstrates how scientific understanding and technological advancements have refined cervical cancer treatment over time.
• Provides insight into the ongoing shift towards personalized medicine in oncology.
• Establishes a foundation for understanding future directions in gynecologic cancer management, emphasizing molecular diagnostics and tailored surgical interventions.