Tissue Bank of Biological Specimens From Patients With Gynecologic Disease

Cancer arises due to genetic alterations that disrupt numerous cellular functions including
proliferation, programmed cell death and senescence, that ultimately control the number of
cells in a population. The genetic damage that underlies the development of cancers has a
diverse etiology and loss of DNA repair mechanisms also may play a role in allowing
mutations to accumulate. Cancers are also characterized by the ability to invade surrounding
tissues and to metastasize. Many of the molecular alterations involved in this process have
yet to be elucidated.

Gynecologic cancers afflict women of all ages. Cervical cancer is the most common
gynecologic malignancy worldwide, accounting for over 400,000 cases annually. Endometrial
cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy with approximately 33,000 new cases being
diagnosed annually in American women. Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of
cancer related mortality in American women, with approximately 14,000 deaths occurring from
it in 2000.

The creation of a tissue repository containing tissue specimens, blood/serum, and molecular
extracts (DNA, RNA, protein) will provide a rich source of tissue for future gynecological
disease research studies.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients scheduled to undergo surgery for diagnosis and treatment of a gynecologic
disease at one of the participating institutions

- > = 18 years old

- Ability to read English

Exclusion Criteria:

- < 18 years old