Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynaecological cancer. Women with a hereditary increased risk are therefore advised to have their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed around the age of forty. This is effective in preventing ovarian cancer, but does lead to early menopause, which has both short-term and long-term disadvantages. This thesis investigated various aspects of care for these women. We investigated an alternative method of preventing ovarian cancer: removing the fallopian tubes first, so that the removal of the ovaries (and consequently the menopause) can be postponed. We found that this new approach has great potential and that quality of life is improved if the removal of the ovaries can be postponed. The safety of this new approach is currently still being investigated.
Tamar Gootzen (2000) obtained her Master’s degree in Medicine from Maastricht University in 2023, after which she began her PhD research in Gynaecological Oncology at Radboudumc. She currently works as a doctor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Catharina Hospital.
On Tuesday 27 October at 4.30 pm, Tamar Gootzen will defend her dissertation entitled "Removing the fallopian tube: a personalised approach to treating ovarian cancer".
Supervisors are Dr J.A. de Hullu and Prof. Dr R.P.M.G. Hermens. Co-supervisors are Dr M.P. Steenbeek and Dr M.M.H.J. van Gelder
The defence can be followed via this live stream.