The impact of Black founding fathers on the specialty of gynecologic oncology.

INTRODUCTION: The formative period of the specialty of gynecologic oncology was from 1968 to 1972 and became a board-certified specialty in 1973. During this formation there were no Black physicians participating in this process. We chronicle and document the incorporation of the first three board-certified Black physicians in the specialty of gynecologic oncology here for historical purposes. METHODS: We highlight the hostile climate experienced by Black physicians before and during the formation of gynecologic oncology, review the acceptance and training of the first three Black physicians in the specialty and recognize their significant contributions to the field. RESULTS: The biographies and the narrative of these men describe their impact and contribution to medicine. We chronicle the historic presence of the first board-certified Black gynecologic oncologists and pelvic surgeons in the United States. CONCLUSION: These three men represent the Black Founding Fathers of gynecologic oncology. Their perseverance in the face of adversity and commitment to excellence have left an indelible impact on the institutions that they developed, the individuals that they trained, and the patients that they served.

LIUBOV HEORHIIVNA BUCHYNSKA.

Director of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Biological Sciences Professor Liubov Heorhiivna Buchynska celebrates her 75th anniversary   Liubov Heorhiivna Buchynska graduated from the Biological Department of the Taras Shevchenko State University in 1977 and has been working at the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine since 1977. In 1996, she became the Scientific Secretary of the Institute, in 2001 - the Deputy Director, and in 2021 - Director of the Institute. In 1989, L. Buchynska  received her PhD degree and in 2012,  she defended her doctoral thesis "Endometrioid cancer: taxonomy of genetic alterations of cancer cells and their role in determining malignancy potential" and received her doctoral degree in specialty "oncology". Since 2003, she has headed the Laboratory of Oncogenetics (nowadays - the Department of Genetics of Cancer and Oncohematology). In 2020, L. Buchynska was given the title of Professor in Biology.  Prof. L. Buchynska is a well-known Ukrainian scientist in the field of oncogenetics and cytomorphology. Her long-term studies are characterized by a multidisciplinary approach to solving the problems of cancer biology and genetics. The innovation component occupies an important place in the fundamental studies by Prof. L. Buchynska aimed at implementing technologies for early and differential diagnosis of the precancerous and cancerous processes and assessing  the course of the disease in patients with malignancies of the organs of the female reproductive system. Prof. L. Buchynska has authored more than 250 scientific papers and 7 patents of Ukraine. She is a co-author of three monographs. She pays special attention to research-and-organizational and educational activities and training of young researchers. She has supervised five PhD theses. For the last 10 years, she has been collaborating with the Bogomolets National Medical University lecturing biology.  Prof. L. Buchynska is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the "Experimental Oncology" and "Oncology" journals, a member of the Scientific Council on the Problems of Malignant Neoplasms, a member of the Board of the National Association of Ukrainian Oncologists and the Non-governmental Organization "Ukrainian Society for Cancer Research". Prof. L. Buchynska was awarded the Bogomolets Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and a Certificate of Merit of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. She was decorated with the Medal of Honor of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine "For Scientific Achievements". Holding the helm of the Institute in difficult times for our country, Liubov Heorhiivna is doing her best for a noble goal - fighting cancer. The administration and staff of the Institute have a great pleasure to congratulate Liubov Heorhiivna on her 75th anniversary and wish her good health, creative inspiration, and new scientific achievements.   Administration and staff of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Editorial Board of Experimental Oncology.

The AANS/CNS Section on Tumors: a summary of 40 years of advocacy to advance the care of patients with brain and spine tumors.

The AANS/CNS Section on Tumors was founded 40 years ago in 1984 to assist in the education of neurosurgeons interested in neuro-oncology, and serves as a resource for other national organizations regarding the clinical treatment of nervous system tumors. The Section on Tumors was the first national physicians' professional organization dedicated to the study and treatment of patients with brain and spine tumors. Over the past 40 years, the Section on Tumors has built solid foundations, including establishing the tumor section satellite meetings, founding the Journal of Neuro-Oncology (the first medical journal dedicated to brain and spine surgical oncology), advancing surgical neuro-oncology education and research, promoting neurosurgical involvement in neuro-oncology clinical trials, and advocating for patients with brain and spine tumors. This review provides a synopsis of the Section on Tumors' history, its challenges, and its opportunities, drawing on the section's archives and input from the 17 section chairs who led it during its first 40 years.

Apuntes sobre Historia de la Oncología en Cuba / Notes on History of Oncology in Cuba

RESUMEN Muchos son los resultados relevantes de la Oncología cubana, gracias a los médicos, científicos y académicos que siempre han estado a la vanguardia de la lucha contra el cáncer, no sólo en Cuba sino también en Latinoamérica a lo largo de más de 170 años. El pueblo cubano, con su espíritu humano y colaborador, hizo aportes que ayudaron en los momentos difíciles, donde los gobiernos trataban de limitar el presupuesto para una obra tan noble como la lucha contra el cáncer. Fue la política de salud adoptada por el gobierno revolucionario, la que permitió el acceso a la atención gratuita a todo paciente oncológico poniendo a su alcance los recursos disponibles en su lucha contra esta tenebrosa enfermedad. La creación de la Unidad Oncológica de Matanzas ha sido y es hoy una muestra de tan noble obra. Con el objetivo de exponer las características del surgimiento y desarrollo de la oncología en Cuba se realiza el presente trabajo (AU).

SUMMARY There are many relevant results of Cuban Oncology, thanks to our doctors, scientists and academics who have always been at the forefront of the fight against cancer, not only in Cuba but also in Latin America for more than 170 years. The Cuban people, with their human spirit and collaborator, made contributions that helped in difficult times, where governments tried to limit the budget for a work as noble as the fight against cancer. It was the health policy adopted by the revolutionary government, which allowed access to free care for all oncological patients, putting at their disposal the available resources in their fight against this dark disease. The creation of the Oncological Unit of Matanzas has been and is today a sample of such a noble work. With the aim of exposing the characteristics of the emergence and development of oncology in Cuba, the present work is carried out (AU).

Organização da especialidade médica e controle do câncer do colo do útero no Brasil: o Instituto de Ginecologia do Rio de Janeiro em meados do século XX / Organization of medical specialization in cervical cancer and its control in Brazil: the Instituto de Ginecologia in Rio de Janeiro in the mid-twentieth century

Resumo O Instituto de Ginecologia, no Rio de Janeiro, sob chefia do médico Arnaldo de Moraes, foi pioneiro no país na introdução e difusão de técnicas médicas para controle do câncer do colo do útero, em meados do século XX. A instituição tornou-se referência nas ações sobre a doença no período, organizando um modelo específico de diagnóstico que particularizou a atuação da medicina brasileira em relação à enfermidade e foi referência no país até a década de 1970. O objetivo deste texto é discutir a organização e o funcionamento do instituto a partir de seu papel sob dois pontos de atuação: na afirmação da ginecologia como especialidade médica e na divulgação de um modelo de referência para o controle da doença.

Abstract Instituto de Ginecologia (Institute of Gynecology), in Rio de Janeiro, headed by Dr. Arnaldo de Moraes, was the first institution in Brazil to introduce and divulge medical techniques for the control of cervical cancer in the mid-1900s. It became a benchmark for actions geared towards the disease at the time, organizing a specific diagnostic procedure that set Brazilian medicine apart in the field, in which it remained a leader until the 1970s. The aim of this text is to discuss the organization and running of the institution from two perspectives: its role in enhancing the position of gynecology as a medical specialty, and its role in spreading a standard practice for the control of cervical cancer.

Historia reciente: XII Congreso Internacional del Cáncer, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1978 / Recent history: 12th International Conference on Cancer, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1978

Desde los enfoques de la historia del tiempo presente, este artículo recupera la discusión en torno al XII Congreso Internacional del Cáncer realizado en Buenos Aires en 1978, que provocó la realización en París de un "contracongreso" por iniciativa de Georges Périès. Para ello se describe el escenario político de la época, la situación de los derechos humanos en Argentina, el rol de los medios de comunicación, en especial los periódicos La Nación y Clarín y la revista Gente, y la posición institucional adoptada por la Academia Nacional de Medicina, plasmada en una carta enviada a los presidentes de las principales sociedades científicas del mundo, que se reproduce como fuente documental, tomada del libro Memoria: Año 1978 (Presidencia de Dr. José E. Rivarola). El marco de la discusión remite a la política social de la ciencia versus su presunta neutralidad y el rol de las sociedades científicas.

Using the approaches of history of the present, this article recovers the discussions surrounding the 12th International Conference on Cancer carried out in Buenos Aires in 1978, in reaction to which Georges Périès organized a "counter-conference" in Paris. In order to understand this discussion, the political situation of the time is described, as is the state of human rights at the time in Argentina, the role of the media - in particular the newspapers La Nación and Clarín and the magazine Gente - and the institutional position adopted by the National Academy of Medicine, as expressed in a letter sent to the presidents of the primary scientific societies of the world. The letter is reprinted in this text as a documentary source, taken from Memoria: Año 1978 (Presidencia de Dr. José E. Rivarola) [Acta: Year 1978 (Presidency of Dr. José E. Rivarola)]. The framework of the discussion makes reference to science's social policy versus science's supposed neutrality and the role of scientific societies.

Tratamento paliativo: perspectiva da família / Palliative care from the family’s perspective / Tratamiento paliativo: perspectiva de la familia

O estudo teve como objetivo apreender a experiência do vivido do familiar do paciente em tratamento paliativo em oncologia e como método a fenomenologia sociológica de Alfred Schütz. O estudo foi realizado no Hospital de Câncer IV, situado no município do Rio de Janeiro, em 2009. Participaram 20 familiares, mediante entrevista fenomenológica, com a questão orientadora: como você está vivendo a experiência de cuidar de seu familiar em tratamento paliativo em oncologia? Evidenciaram as categorias do vivido: Lidar com as dificuldades diante do tratamento paliativo oncológico e Tentar entender a abordagem paliativa que tem como foco reduzir a dor, superando o rótulo de terminal. A inserção do familiar no processo de cuidar é fundamental, por ser importante atender as suas expectativas, agindo como facilitador na implementação desses cuidados.

The study aimed to learn the lived experience of relatives of patients in palliative care for cancer, using the sociological phenomenology of Alfred Schütz as its method. The study was performed in 2009 at the Hospital do Cancer IV in Rio de Janeiro. Twenty families participated in phenomenological interviews with the guiding questions: What has been your lived experience of caring for your relative in palliative cancer care? The categories of experience identified were: Dealing with the difficulties of palliative cancer care; and Trying to understand the palliative approach that focuses on reducing pain and surmounting the ‘terminal’ label. It is fundamental to include the relative in the care process, because of the importance of meeting their expectations, and to act as facilitator in the implementation of care.

El objetivo del presente estudio es captar la experiencia vivida por la familia del paciente que recibe tratamiento paliativo oncológico, utilizando como método la sociología fenomenológica de Alfred Schütz. El estudio fue realizado en el Hospital de Cáncer IV, situado en el municipio de Rio de Janeiro-RJ-Brasil, en 2009. Participaron en esta investigación 20 familias, a las cuales se les aplicó una entrevista fenomenológica con la siguiente pregunta orientadora: ¿cómo está viviendo la experiencia de cuidar de un familiar que recibe tratamiento paliativo oncológico? Los resultados obtenidos muestran las categorías de la experiencia: La necesidad de enfrentar las dificultades que se presentan con el tratamiento paliativo oncológico y tratar de comprender el enfoque paliativo, que se centra principalmente en reducir el dolor, dejando para trás el calificativo “terminal”. La inclusión de la familia en este proceso de cuidado es fundamental para el personal de enfermería dada la importancia de satisfacer sus expectativas, actuando como un elemento que favorece la implementación del proceso de cuidado.

O controle do câncer no Brasil na primeira metade do século XX / Cancer control in Brazil in the first half of the twentieth century

Discute as ações públicas para o controle do câncer no país, entre a década de 1920 e o final dos anos 1940. Trata da criação da Inspetoria de Profilaxia da Lepra e das Doenças Venéreas, no âmbito do Departamento Nacional de Saúde Pública, primeira ação pública relacionada à doença. Embora de pouco alcance, seu surgimento permite a compreensão do campo profissional, relacionado à doença, existente à época. Observa o papel da difusão da eletrocirurgia na ampliação do interesse médico pelo câncer e na criação do Centro de Cancerologia do Distrito Federal. Discute a criação e a primeira década de atuação do Serviço Nacional de Câncer, aproximando seu perfil inicial das questões que nortearam sua trajetória.

The article discusses public efforts to control cancer in Brazil from the 1920s to the close of the 1940s. It examines the process which brought about creation of the Inspectorship to Combat Leprosy, Venereal Diseases, and Cancer within the National Department of Public Health. Creation of the Inspectorship was the first public action to target cancer and, while it was not far-reaching, its emergence enables us to understand the professional field of cancer at that time. The text also points to the role played by the diffusion of electrosurgery in expanding medical interest about cancer and in the founding of the Cancerology Center in the Federal District. It discusses the establishment and first decade of activities of the National Cancer Service, endeavoring to link the Service's initial profile with the issues that guided its history.

As transformações no tratamento cirúrgico dos cânceres: das grandes incisões nos anos 1970 aos cortes quase invisíveis de hoje / Changes in the surgical treatment of cancers: from the large incisions of the 1970s to today's nearly invisible cuts

O médico e cirurgião amazonense João Bosco Botelho mostra astransformações ocorridas no diagnóstico e no tratamento do câncernas últimas décadas, ressaltando que até os anos 1970, quando existiaapenas o raio X e a planigrafia, a ideia dominante era a da cirurgiaradical, para retirar o tumor com margem de segurança. As imagenscongeladas (ultrassom, tomografia computadorizada, ressonânciamagnética, cintilografias) e as dinâmicas em tempo real (endoscopias)foram determinantes para as mudanças nas cirurgias – com incisões queficam quase invisíveis – e também na rádio e quimioterapia. O médicodestaca ainda que esse desenvolvimento da tecnologia médicaacompanhou o movimento social, quando se iniciou a valorização doscorpos como templos invioláveis.

João Bosco Botelho, medical surgeon from the state of Amazonas, talks aboutthe changes that have taken place in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer inrecent decades. He calls special attention to the fact that the only options untilthe 1970s were X-rays and planigraphies, and the prevailing idea was radicalsurgery to remove the tumor with some margin of safety. Frozen images likeultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and scintigraphies along with real-timetechniques like endoscopies were decisive in changing not only how surgery wasperformed (now with nearly invisible incisions) but also radiation treatmentand chemotherapy. The surgeon likewise underscores how the development ofmedical technology kept pace with social trends, as bodies began to betransformed into sacred temples.

Colaboração à história da oncologia em Minas Gerais / Collaboration to the oncology history in Minas Gerais

São registrados fatos históricos do desenvolvimento da oncologia em Minas Gerais, com a identificação de nomes que se ligaram à radioterapia.

Psico-oncologia: apontamentos sobre a evolução histórica de um campo interdisciplinar / Psycho-oncology: notes on the historical development of an interdisciplinary

O aumento da sobrevida entre pacientes com câncer não foi suficiente para erradicar o estigma historicamente construído sobre essa doença. Percepções, crenças, julgamentos e atitudes sobre o câncer e seus tratamentos influenciam desde a população em geral, pacientes e familiares, até profissionais de saúde, criando barreiras conceituais e comportamentais que dificultam tanto a prevenção como o acompanhamento terapêutico. Mas, nas últimas décadas, diversos trabalhos desenvolvidos em psico-oncologia contribuem para uma atuação mais eficaz das equipes de saúde. Assim sendo, o presente artigo reúne apontamentos sobre a evolução histórica dos conhecimentos teóricos e técnicos acerca do câncer e da psico-oncologia, visando a oferecer aportes para a formação de profissionais interessados pela temática.

The increase in survival among patients with cancer was not enough to eradicate the stigma historically built on the disease. Perceptions, beliefs, judgments and attitudes about cancer and its treatment, altogether, influence many.From the general population, patients and families, to the health professionals, it acts by creating conceptual andbehavioral barriers that hinder both the prevention and therapeutic monitoring. But in recent decades, various work inPsycho-Oncology contributed to a more effective performance of the health team. Therefore, this article brings together notes on the historical development to knowledge about cancer and Psycho-Oncology, seeking contributions for the training of professionals concerned by the issue.

Políticas oficiais de controle de câncer no Brasil / Official politics to control cancer in Brazil

O objetivo deste artigo foi comentar os fatos mais relevantes relacionados às políticas oficiais de controle do câncer no Brasil, desde a criaçäo do Centro de Cancerologia que deu origem ao atual Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA). Descreveu a trajetória do Ministério da Saúde em relaçäo à Cancerologia, com a criaçäo da Campanha Nacional de Combate ao Câncer, constituiçäo da Divisäo Nacional de Câncer e a implementaçäo do Programa Nacional de Combate ao Câncer. Destacou a existência de dois ministérios atuando na área da Saúde durante duas décadas e as iniciativas de integraçäo e cooperaçäo entre eles, como a constituiçäo do Sistema Integrado do Controle de Câncer e do Pro-Onco. Procurou-se correlacionar a evoluçäo dos fatos com os determinantes políticos e a política de saúde de cada período. Do momento mais atual destacou a criaçäo do Sistema de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade em Câncer. Por fim, citou o trabalho desenvolvido pela Secretaria de Estado de Säo Paulo na organizaçäo de uma rede de hospitais terciários em Oncologia. Concluiu que as políticas oficiais têm seguido uma trajetória tortuosa, caracterizada por descontinuidade de açöes, reprises de iniciativas e alternâncias de prioridades, o que tem prolongado excessivamente o processo de organizaçäo dos serviços de saúde destinados à assistência de pacientes com câncer.

Histórias da oncologia clinica no Instituto Nacional de Câncer [INCA] / Histories of the clinical oncology in the Instituto Nacional de Câncer [INCA]

Apresenta a história da oncologia clínica no INCA. Uma História da Oncologia Clínica no Instituto Nacional de Câncer nos ajudará a comprovar a enorme capacidade de revitalização da instituição para fazer face aos desafios que o controle do câncer impõe. Não é mais possível que grande parte da população pense que o câncer é incurável, um problema de especialistas. Essa cultura contribui para que a maioria de pacientes chegue aos hospitais em estágio avançado da doença. Que possamos refletir sobre o muito que o INCA e seus profissionais vêm fazendo ao longo de sua história. Que encontremos novos caminhos, como o fizeram os pioneiros aqui homenageados.