Hormone-Dependent Tumors and Sexuality in the Neuro-Oncology of Women (N.O.W.): Women's Brain Tumors, Gaps in Sexuality Considerations, and a Need for Evidence-Based Guidelines.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: While females make up almost 60% of all brain and spinal cord tumors in adults, guidelines that address women's issues in neuro-oncology are lacking. This review sheds light on two common women's issues in neuro-oncology. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuro-oncology providers are often faced with patient questions about fertility and pregnancy maintenance or prevention and typically respond with generic cancer chemotherapy recommendations, based on the paucity of evidence on the use of common neuro-oncology chemotherapies and pregnancy. While these remain important gap issues, there are several other poorly researched issues in the Neuro-Oncology of Women (N.O.W.) including recommendations around endogenous and iatrogenic hormone exposure and female sexuality in cancer. As a significant percentage of cancers are hormone-dependent, it is important to understand how changes in hormone levels impact tumor biology over the course of a woman's lifespan. Furthermore, greater attention should be given to the impact of tumors and tumor treatments on female sexuality. This article is intended to serve as an introduction to these two specific subjects within the vast expanse of N.O.W. subject matter.