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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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