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INFORMATION FOR

Peter Schwartz, MD

John Slade Ely Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
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Additional Titles

Vice Chair, Gynecology

Contact Info

Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

PO Box 208063

New Haven, CT 06520-8063

United States

About

Titles

John Slade Ely Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences

Vice Chair, Gynecology

Biography

Dr. Peter Schwartz has been a member of the Yale Cancer Center since he joined the Yale School of Medicine Faculty in 1975. He was the first Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, which he formed in 1978, and the first Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Training Program, which was approved by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology in 1980. Dr. Schwartz has served as President of the New Haven Obstetrical Society, The New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists, The Felix Rutledge Society and The Society for Gynecologic Oncology. His research has focused on gynecologic cancers and their treatment. He is recognized as an international expert on the management of the rare germ cell malignancies, as well as introducing neoadjuvant chemotherapy into the treatment of the common advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancers which now has been accepted as a standard treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for the United States. He performed the first prospective randomized trial incorporating hormonal therapy with conventional platinum-based chemotherapy based on laboratory research at Yale identifying estrogen receptor proteins in epithelial ovarian cancers. He reported the first series of gynecologic cancer patients to have massive hemorrhage controlled by selective arteriography and transcatheter embolization, coil placement or balloon catheter placement and subsequently showed these techniques could also be employed to control massive postpartum hemorrhage. His clinical studies on the management of uterine serous cancer established a very successful standard therapy for early stage disease, which previously had been associated with an extremely poor prognosis. He has had a strong interest in the early detection of ovarian cancer and established the Yale Early Detection Program for Ovarian Cancer in 1990, one of the first such programs in the United States. That program was based on prior tumor marker research and diagnostic imaging studies he performed with other collaborators at Yale. Dr. Schwartz is a member of the editorial boards of seven professional journals, has served on numerous Department and Yale Cancer Center committees and currently serves as a member of the Oncology Patient Safety and Quality Council and the Smilow Leadership Council.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellow
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (1975)
Resident
Yale-New Haven Hospital (1971)
Surgical Internship
University of Kentucky (1966)
MD
Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1966)
BS
Union College (1964)

Board Certifications

  • Gynecologic Oncology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Original Certification Date
    1979

  • Obstetrics & Gynecology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Original Certification Date
    1973

Research

Overview

Ovarian cancer is currently the fifth most common cancer in American women and the fourth most common cause of female cancer deaths. A lack of early warning symptoms and a lack of tests highly sensitive for detecting the disease are the major cause for the high death rate. My research is involved with early detection of ovarian cancer by screening a population of women who have at least one first degree relative with ovarian cancer, thereby making them at higher risk than the population at large for the disease.

My research is also involved with identifying tumor markers which may be useful in early detection of ovarian cancer and in monitoring women who have themselves experienced ovarian cancer. We are interested in new and innovative ways of treating patients with ovarian cancer and are enroll women in a prospective trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Finally, we see a large number of women at Yale with an aggressive form of uterine cancer, uterine papillary serous cancer. I have developed new clinical approaches that have been very successful in the treatment of women with early stages of this disease and am collaborating with colleagues in studying the molecular biology of this disease in order to develop new treatment strategies.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Management strategies for women with uterine papillary serous cancer

Early detection of ovarian cancer

Treatment of the elderly with ovarian and/or uterine cancer

Medical Research Interests

Gynecology; Ovarian Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Vaginal Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Peter Schwartz's published research.

Publications

2024

See All Publications

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

    Professional OrganizationsMember
  • activity

    Operating Room Committee

    CommitteesMember
  • activity

    Operating Room Management Group

    CommitteesMember
  • activity

    Appointments and Promotions Committee

    CommitteesMember
  • activity

    Board of Permanent Officers

    CommitteesMember
See All Achievements

Get In Touch

Contacts

Mailing Address

Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

PO Box 208063

New Haven, CT 06520-8063

United States

Locations

  • Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences

    Academic Office

    Farnam Memorial Building

    310 Cedar Street, Wing Gynecologic Oncology, Fl 3rd, Ste 328

    New Haven, CT 06510

    General Information

    203.785.4014
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