1960s

1968: Hervy E. Averette, MD, and John J. Mikuta, MD, identified a need for the creation of a medical society focused solely on gynecologic oncology

1969: Founding of Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO); first meeting convened Jan. 23-25, 1969, at the Key Biscayne Hotel and Villas in Key Biscayne, FL

1969 SGO President: George C. Lewis, Jr., MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1970)

1970s

1970s: Radical debulking, use of single agent chemotherapy in gynecologic oncology

1970s: Gyn oncs earn privileges for bowel/urinary surgery

1970s: Initial description of cytoreductive surgical techniques in advanced ovarian cancer and discovery of more effective chemotherapy (cisplatin)

1970s: Relationship discovered between in utero DES exposure and clear cell vaginal cancers

1970s: Curative multi-agent chemotherapy developed for metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease and germ cell tumors

1970s: Relationship discovered between unopposed estrogen and endometrial cancer

1970s: Total parenteral nutrition facilitates survival of patients with bowel injuries related to radiation and surgery

1970: SGO incorporated in the State of Florida

1970: Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) formed to conduct clinical trials

GOG Group Chairs

Myroslaw Hreshchyshyn, MD, 1970 – 1975
George Lewis, MD, 1975 – 1989
Robert C. Park, MD, 1989 – 2002
Philip DiSaia, MD, 2002 – 2017
Larry Copeland, MD, 2017 – Present

1970 SGO President: John L. Lewis, Jr., MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1971)

1971: National Cancer Act signed by President Richard Nixon

1971: Approval of megestrol acetate for the palliative treatment of advanced endometrial cancer

1971 SGO President: W. Norman Thornton, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1972)

1972: Gynecologic Oncology journal established

Gynecologic Oncology Editors

Saul Gusberg, MD, 1972 – 1990
David Gershenson, MD 1990 – 2008
Beth Karlan, MD, 2008 – Present

1972 SGO President: Hervy E. Averette, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1973)

1973: Gynecologic Oncology approved as a subspecialty. American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology develops gynecologic oncology fellowship training programs and certification process

ABOG Gyn Onc Directors

John L. Lewis, Jr., MD 1972 – 1976
Leo J. Dunn, MD 1976 – 1981
Leo D. Lagasse, MD 1981 – 1985
Clarence E. Ehrlich, MD 1985 – 1988
Arthur L. Herbst, MD 1988 – 1991
Wesley C. Fowler, Jr. MD 1991 – 1995
Philip J. DiSaia, MD, 1995 – 2000
Larry C. Copeland, MD, 2000 – 2003
David M. Gershenson, MD, 2002 – 2005
Stephen C. Rubin, MD, 2005 – 2011
Laurel W. Rice, MD, 2011 – 2014
Ronald D. Alvarez, MD, MBA 2014 – 2018
Fidel A. Valea, MD, 2018 – Present

1973 SGO President: John J. Mikuta, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1974)

1974: First oral gyn onc exam

1974 SGO President: Saul B. Gusberg, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1975)

1975 SGO President: Felix N. Rutledge, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1976)

1976 SGO President: George W. Morley, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1977)

1977 SGO President: Richard E. Symmonds, MD (Key Biscayne, FL, 1978)

1978 SGO President: Richard C. Boronow, MD (Marco Island, FL, 1979)

1979: Dolores Buechler, MD, first female member of SGO

1979 SGO President: Hugh R.K. Barber, MD (Scottsdale, AZ, 1980)