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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

  • Neuro-oncology (KS Nevel, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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.

Summary

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuro-Oncology Division, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Na Tosha N. Gatson & Kerianne R. Taylor

  2. Neuro-Oncology Division, Geisinger Neuroscience and Cancer Institutes, Danville, PA, USA

    Na Tosha N. Gatson & Jada K. O. Mack

  3. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, USA

    Na Tosha N. Gatson

  4. Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA

    Maria L. Boccia

  5. Neuro-Oncology, Barrows Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Ekokobe Fonkem

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Correspondence to Na Tosha N. Gatson.

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Na Tosha N. Gatson has served as an advisory board consultant for Novocure. Maria L. Boccia declares that she has no conflict of interest. Kerianne R. Taylor declares that she has no conflict of interest. Jada K.O. Mack declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ekokobe Fonkem has served as an advisory board consultant for Novocure.

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Gatson, N.T.N., Boccia, M.L., Taylor, K.R. et al. 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. Curr Oncol Rep 23, 127 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01115-w

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