Over 2,250 Women Die Each Year from Gynecological Cancers in Serbia – Turkish Oncology Expert Shares Life-Saving Insights

Professor Dr Ilker Kahramanoglu is one of the most prominent experts in gynecologic oncology in Turkey and Europe. He is a member of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology and a regular lecturer and demonstrator at professional conferences across the continent.


Which Types of Gynecological Tumors Are Most Common, and in Which Age Groups?

“Based on my clinical experience, the most commonly treated cancers are endometrial, ovarian, and cervical. Endometrial cancer is primarily found in women aged 55 to 65. Ovarian cancer typically affects women in the same age range but may appear later—or, in rare cases, even earlier during reproductive years. Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s, though cases in older age groups are not uncommon.”

Are Rare Tumors Becoming More Common, and How Is Modern Medicine Used to Diagnose Them?

“My work also involves treating rare tumors of the vulva, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), and histologically atypical cancers of the uterus and ovaries. Symptoms vary—from itching in vulvar cancer to asymptomatic presentations. GTN, for example, usually causes abnormal bleeding, and some rare ovarian tumors are hormone-sensitive. Accurate diagnosis and treatment rely heavily on specialist expertise, advanced diagnostic tools, and a collaborative approach.”

What Is the Best Form of Prevention? What Do You Recommend for Younger and Older Patients?

“For cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and regular screenings (such as Pap smears and colposcopy) offer excellent prevention rates. While endometrial cancer prevention is less standardized, genetic testing is valuable—especially for women with a family history of colorectal or endometrial cancer. If BRCA gene mutations are identified, a preventive salpingectomy—removal of the fallopian tubes, often during another abdominal surgery—can significantly reduce ovarian cancer risk, as around 80% of cases originate in the fallopian tubes. Oral contraceptives also lower the risk for both ovarian and endometrial cancers.”

How Does Gynecological Oncology Practice in Turkey Compare to Standards in Europe and the U.S.?

“Turkey was among the first to recognize gynecological oncology as a distinct sub-specialty, alongside the U.S. Our training is well standardized, and we now have one of the highest numbers of European Society of Gynaecological Oncology-accredited centers. With advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical technology, our treatment capabilities are on par with leading centers in Europe and the U.S. However, we face challenges in large-scale molecular research due to a lack of dedicated biobanks.”

What Role Could AI Play in the Future of Cancer Prevention and Treatment?

“AI shows promise, particularly in the early detection of cervical cancer when paired with Pap smears and colposcopy. While colposcopy remains more reliable today under a trained expert, AI combined with biomarkers from blood tests may enhance early ovarian cancer detection in the future.”

What Are Your Views on Immunotherapy?

“We now routinely test endometrial and ovarian cancer tissue for personalized treatment options. Immunotherapy strengthens the body’s immune response to recognize cancer cells and is already used for certain recurrent cancers of the endometrium, ovaries, and cervix. Targeted immunotherapy is both effective and less toxic.”How Can Serbia Reduce the High Mortality Rate from Gynecological Cancers?“I once operated on an 11-year-old girl with ovarian cancer, and assisted in surgery for a 7-year-old with a similar diagnosis. At the other end of the spectrum, I performed surgery on a 92-year-old patient with a suspected adnexal mass and treated others with uterine sarcomas.”

Professor Dr Ilker Kahramanoglu

gynecological oncology

malignancy

ovarian cancer

cervical cancer