Metastasis in gynecological cancers

Metastatic gynecological malignancies are the primary cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Although constant advances in cancer early diagnosis and treatment have rendered gynecological cancers more manageable before metastasization, overall survival rates remain still low once cancers metastasize. Current standard strategies remain systemic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, along with best supportive care end enrollment in clinical trials. In addition, surgery can be considered in highly selected patients. Recently, new generation antitumor agents targeting specific molecules involved in crucial metastatic steps (detachment, migration, invasion, and adhesion) have been investigated with the aim to improve the paradigm of care and the survival rates. However, our knowledge of the exact biochemical mechanisms and pathways involved in the metastatic process is still lacking. Further research is required to find new effective multimodal strategies to prevent and treat metastases in gynecological cancers.