David M. Gershenson, M.D.
Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery - Clinical
About Dr. Gershenson
As Professor of Gynecologic Oncology, I have been engaged in several aspects of clinical and translational research of rare ovarian cancers. In the 1980s, my focus was primarily on improving therapies for patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. Since the late 1980s, my research has concentrated on women with serous borderline tumors and low-grade serous ovarian cancer. In collaboration with Dr. Elvio Silva, we described the clinical course of women with serous borderline tumors and peritoneal implants, some of whom subsequently developed low-grade serous ovarian cancer. In 2004, I was part of the MD Anderson team who transformed the field by defining the binary histologic grading system for serous carcinoma, subsequently adopted by the World Health Organization. Several observational cohort studies of low-grade serous carcinoma followed, documenting the indolent nature of this rare subtype reflected in its prolonged overall survival, its relative insensitivity to chemotherapy, the efficacy of endocrine therapy in multiple clinical settings, the role of neoadjuvant therapy, the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery, the efficacy of bevacizumab, and the identification of the MAP kinase signaling pathway’s role in its pathogenesis. During that period, I was also chairing the Gynecologic Oncology Group’s Rare Tumor Committee (2005-2018), which was developing clinical trials specifically for rare ovarian cancers, including low-grade serous carcinoma. Much of this work culminated in the publication of GOG 281/LOGS, a positive randomized phase 3 clinical trials of the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, compared to physician’s choice standard of care, published in The Lancet in 2022. Additional seminal publications in 2022 included identifying mutations in the MAP kinase signaling pathway as a major prognostic factor and providing preliminary evidence that treatment with contemporary postoperative therapy may be reducing relapse rates. Finally, I am the Co-Principal Investigator of two important clinical trials to define the optimal primary adjuvant therapy (NRG-GY-019) and to determine the efficacy of letrozole plus ribociclib in women with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma (GOG 3026).
Present Title & Affiliation
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, McGowan Medical School UT Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX
Clinical Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1971 | Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, US, MD |
| 1967 | University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, Psychology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 1977-1979 | Fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, U.T. M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas |
| 1972-1975 | Residency, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut |
| 1971-1972 | Internship, Medicine/Surgery, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa |
Board Certifications
| 1981 | American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate, Division of Gynecologic Oncology |
| 1977 | American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate |
| 1972 | National Board of Medical Examiners, Diplomate |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
J. Taylor Wharton, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2012
Courtesy Status, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2012
Ann Rife Cox Chair in Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2004
Provisional Staff, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2000
Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2016
Anderson Clinical Faculty Chair for Cancer Treatment and Research, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1997 - 2000
Florence Maude Thomas Cancer Research Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1994 - 1996
Associate Professor of Gynecology (tenured), Gynecologist, Department of Gynecology, U.T. M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, 1987 - 1988
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 1987 - 1995
Associate Professor of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, U.T. M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, 1984 - 1988
Assistant Professor of Gynecology, Department of Gynecology, U.T. M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, 1979 - 1984
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, Department of Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2016
Special Assistant, Department of MDAPN, Peer-to-Peer Physician Consultation Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Department Chair, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2012
Department Chair ad interim, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2000
Director, Sandra G. Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1996 - 1998
Director, Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1996 - 2007
Associate Vice President for Patient Care, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1989 - 1992
Deputy Department Chair, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1988 - 1998
Chief of Clinical Research, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1988 - 1999
Medical Director, Chief of Outpatient Clinic, Department of Station 82, U.T. M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, 1987 - 1989
Director of Resident Education, Department of Gynecology, U.T. M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, 1981 - 1985
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, International Consortium for Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, n/a, 2020 - Present
Co-Chair Emeritus, Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2016 - 2017
Member, Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2016 - 2021
Chair of Steering Committee Co-Chairs, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2015 - 2017
Member, Scientific Agenda Working Group, Joint NSABP/RTOG/GOG Transition, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
Member, Medical Advisory Board, Childhood Gynecologic Cancer Association, Ann Arbor, MI, 2011 - Present
Co-Chair, Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2010 - 2016
Member, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Chicago, IL, 2009 - 2015
Chairman, Foundation for Women's Cancer, n/a, 2009 - 2015
Editor Emeritus, Gynecologic Oncology, n/a, 2008 - Present
Chair, Rare Tumor Working Group, Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup, Philadelphia, PA, 2008 - 2012
Member, Board of Directors, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dallas, Texas, 2006 - 2014
Chair, NRG Oncology Rare Tumor Committee, Philadelphia, PA, 2005 - 2018
Member, Medical Advisory Board, fertileHope, New York, NY, 2003 - 2009
Chair, Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Integration Panel, Department of Defense, 2002 - 2003
Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dallas, TX, 2002 - 2005
Member, Board of Directors, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dallas, TX, 2002 - 2005
Member, Medical Advisory Board, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Alexandria, PA, 2001 - Present
Member, Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Integration Panel, Department of Defense, 1999 - 2004
Faculty Member, The 1999 SmithKline Beecham National Gynecologic Oncology Fellows Forum, Houston, TX, 1999
Member, Ovarian Cancer Working Group, Prognostic Factors Consensus Conference, American Joint Committee on Cancer, Chicago, IL, 1998
Member, Medical Advisory Board, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Boca Raton, FL, 1997 - 2003
Member, Ovarian Cancer Practice Guidelines Committee, The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Jenkintown, PA, 1997 - Present
Editor-In-Chief of Journal, Gynecologic Oncology, New York, NY, 1990 - 2008
Resident Education Committee, U.T. Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 1984 - 1985
Major, United States Air Force, 1975 - 1977
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | Pioneer of Progress Award, STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation |
| 2024 - Present | Rosalind Franklin Prize for Excellence in Ovarian Cancer Research, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance |
| 2022 | Giants of Cancer Care Award, OncLive |
| 2018 | Distinguished Alumnus Award, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine |
| 2018 | Heroes Award, Ovarcome |
| 2017 | Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s 2017 Distinguished Service Award, Society of Gynecologic Oncology |
| 2015 | Foundation for Gynecologic Oncology Distinguished Service Award |
| 2014 | MD Anderson Foundation Spain Award |
| 2014 | Award for Excellence in Gynecologic Oncology, International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) |
| 2014 | The "Making a Difference" Award, The Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer and Research |
| 2012 | 10th Anniversary America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical LTD |
| 2012 | Top Doctors, U.S. News & World Report Magazine |
| 2011 - 2013 | Houston's Top Doctors 2011, H Texas Magazine |
| 2011 - 2015 | Top Doctors, U.S. News & World Report |
| 2011 | Department of Gynecologic Oncology ranked #6, U.S. News & World Report |
| 2010 | SuperDoctors in the Texas Area, Doximity/Linking Medical Minds |
| 2010 - 2016 | Texas Super Doctors |
| 2010 - 2011 | Who's Who of Executives, Professionals & Entrepreneurs, Marquis Who's Who |
| 2010 | Top Doctors, The Global Directory of Who's Who |
| 2009 | Listed in Guide to America's Top Oncologists, Consumers' Research Council of America |
| 2009 | Guide to America's Top Oncologists, Consumers' Research Council of America |
| 2007 | Leading Health Professionals of the World |
| 2006 - 2010 | Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who |
| 2006 - 2009 | Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Marquis Who's Who |
| 2006 - 2007 | Who's Who in American Education, Marquis Who's Who |
| 2004 | The Lonnie S. Burnett Vanderbilt Ob-Gyn Society Eighth Annual Distinguished Alumnus Award, Vanderbilt OB/GYN Society |
| 2004 - 2005 | Guide to America's Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
| 2002 - 2010 | Best Doctors in America, Houston Magazine |
| 2001 - 2002 | Best Doctors: Information When It Matters Most, Peer-selection |
| 2001 - 2024 | America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly's Medical LTD |
| 1999 | Who's Who in the World, 16th Edition, Marquis Who's Who |
| 1997 - 1999 | Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Marquis Who's Who |
| 1997 - 2003 | The Best Doctors for Women, Good Housekeeping's List |
| 1997 - 2003 | Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Marquis Who's Who |
| 1995 | Favorite Son Award, Southern Illinois Medical Association |
| 1992 - 1998 | The Best Doctors in America, Woodward White, Inc. Publishers |
| 1992 | President's Award, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists |
| 1992 - 2016 | Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc |
| 1992 | 400 Best Cancer Specialists in America, Good Housekeeping's List |
| 1988 | 300 Top Obstetricians-Gynecologists, Good Housekeeping's List |
| 1981 | Special Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Program, St. Joseph's Hospital |
| 1971 | Alpha Omega Alpha, Vanderbilt School of Medicine |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Grisham RN, Slomovitz BM, Andrews N, Banerjee S, Brown J, Carey MS, Chui H, Coleman RL, Fader AN, Gaillard S, Gourley C, Sood AK, Monk BJ, Moore KN, Ray-Coquard I, Shih IM, Westin SN, Wong KK, Gershenson DM. Low-grade serous ovarian cancer: expert consensus report on the state of the science. Int J Gynecol Cancer 33(9):1331-1344, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37591609.
- Gershenson DM, Cobb LP, Westin SN, Zhang Y, Jazaeri A, Malpica A, Sun CC. Contemporary primary treatment of women with stage II-IV low-grade serous ovarian/peritoneal cancer (LGSOC): Determinants of relapse and disease-free survival. Gynecol Oncol 167(2):139-145, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36137845.
- Cobb LP, Gershenson DM. Novel Therapeutics in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer” in Special Issue, Novel Therapies Leading to a New Landscape in Gynecologic Tumors. Int J Gynecol Cancer, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Westin SN, Eyada M, Cobb LP, Nathan LC, Sood AK, Malpica A, Hillman RT, Wong KK. The genomic landscape of low-grade serous ovarian/peritoneal carcinoma and its impact on clinical outcomes. Gynecol Oncol 165(3):560-567, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35606067.
- Gershenson DM, Miller A, Brady WE, Paul J, Carty K, Rodgers W, Millan D, Coleman RL, Moore KN, Banerjee S, Connolly K, Secord AA, O'Malley DM, Dorigo O, Gaillard S, Gabra H, Slomovitz B, Hanjani P, Farley J, Churchman M, Ewing A, Hollis RL, Herrington CS, Huang HQ, Wenzel L, Gourley C. Trametinib versus standard of care in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (GOG 281/LOGS): an international, randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial. Lancet 399(10324):541-553, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35123694.
- Chelariu-Raicu A, Cobb LP, Gershenson DM. Fertility preservation in rare ovarian tumors. Int J Gynecol Cancer 31(3):432-441, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33649010.
- Cobb LP, Sun CC, Iyer R, Nick AM, Fleming ND, Westin SN, Sood AK, Wong KK, Silva EG, Gershenson DM. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary and peritoneum: Further evidence of relative chemoresistance. Gynecol Oncol. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32709538.
- Slomovitz B, Gourley C, Carey MS, Malpica A, Shih IM, Huntsman D, Fader AN, Grisham RN, Schlumbrecht M, Sun CC, Ludemann J, Cooney GA, Coleman R, Sood AK, Mahdi H, Wong KK, Covens A, O'Malley DM, Lecuru F, Cobb LP, Caputo TA, May T, Huang M, Siemon J, Fernández ML, Ray-Coquard I, Gershenson DM. Low-grade serous ovarian cancer: State of the science. Gynecol Oncol 156(3):715-725, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31969252.
- Gershenson DM, Cobb LP, Sun CC. Endocrine therapy in the management of low grade serous ovarian/peritoneal carcinoma: Mounting evidence for the relative efficacy of tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. Gynecol Oncol 159(3):601-603, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Dalton HJ, Fleming ND, Sun CC, Bhosale P, Schmeler KM, Gershenson DM. Activity of bevacizumab-containing regimens in recurrent low-grade serous ovarian or peritoneal cancer: A single institution experience. Gynecol Oncol 145(1):37-40, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28139261.
- Gershenson DM, Bodurka DC, Coleman RL, Lu KH, Malpica A, Sun CC. Hormonal Maintenance Therapy for Women With Low-Grade Serous Cancer of the Ovary or Peritoneum. J Clin Oncol 35(10):1103-1111, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28221866.
- Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Wong KK. Impact of mutational status on survival in low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum. Br J Cancer 113(9):1254-8, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26484411.
- Gershenson DM, Bodurka DC, Lu KH, Nathan LC, Milojevic L, Wong KK, Malpica A, Sun CC. Impact of Age and Primary Disease Site on Outcome in Women with Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary or Peritoneum: Results of a Large Single-Institution Registry of a Rare Tumor. J Clin Oncol 33(24):2675-82, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26195696.
- Crane EK, Sun CC, Ramirez PT, Schmeler KM, Malpica A, Gershenson DM. The Role of Secondary Cytoreduction in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer or Peritoneal Cancer. Gynecol Oncol 136(1):25-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25448453.
- Gourley C, Farley J, Provencher DM, Pignata S, Mileshkin L, Harter P, Maenpaa J, Kim JW, Pujaide-Lauraine E, Glasspool RM, Ray-Coquard I, Gershenson DM. Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) Consensus Review for Ovarian and Primary Peritoneal Low-Grade Serous Carcinomas. Int J Gynecol Cancer 24(S):S9-S13, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25341587.
- Fader AN, Java J, Krivak TC, Bristow RE, Tergas AI, Bookman MA, Armstrong DK, Tanner EJ, Gershenson DM. The Prognostic Significance of Pre- and Post-Treatment CA-125 in Grade 1 Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. Gynecol Oncol 132(3):560-5, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24333362.
- Tsang YT, Deavers MT, Sun CC, Kwan SY, Kuo E, Malpica A, Mok SC, Gershenson DM, Wong KK. KRAS (but not BRAF) mutations in ovarian serous borderline tumour are associated with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma. J Pathol 231(4):449-56, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24549645.
- Fader AN, Java J, Ueda S, Bristow RE, Armstrong DK, Bookman MA, Gershenson DM, Group GO. Survival in women with grade 1 serous ovarian carcinoma. Obstet Gynecol 122(2 Pt 1):225-32, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23969788.
- Farley J, Brady WE, Vathipadiekal V, Lankes HA, Coleman R, Morgan MA, Mannel R, Yamada SD, Mutch D, Rodgers WH, Birrer M, Gershenson DM. Selumetinib in women with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum: an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol S1470-2045(12)(2):705472-7, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23261356.
- Bodurka DC, Deavers MT, Tian C, Sun CC, Malpica A, Coleman RL, Lu KH, Sood AK, Birrer MJ, Ozols R, Baergen R, Emerson RE, Steinhoff M, Behmaram B, Rasty G, Gershenson DM. Reclassification of serous ovarian carcinoma by a 2-tier system: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. Cancer 118(12):3087-94, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22072418.
- Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Iyer RB, Malpica AL, Kavanagh JJ, Bodurka DC, Schmeler K, Deavers M. Hormonal therapy for recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum. Gynecol Oncol 125(3):661-6, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22406638.
- Wong KK, Tsang YT, Deavers MT, Mok SC, Zu Z, Sun C, Malpica A, Wolf JK, Lu KH, Gershenson DM. BRAF mutation is rare in advanced-stage low-grade ovarian serous carcinomas. Am J Pathol 177(4):1611-7, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20802181.
- Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Bodurka DC, Coleman RL, Lu KH, Sood AK, Deavers M, Malpica AL, Kavanagh JJ. Recurrent low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is relatively chemoresistant. Gynecol Oncol 114(1):48-52, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19361839.
- Wong KK, Lu KH, Malpica A, Bodurka DC, Shvartsman HS, Schmandt RE, Thornton AD, Deavers MT, Silva EG, Gershenson DM. Significantly greater expression of ER, PR, and ECAD in advanced-stage low-grade ovarian serous carcinoma as revealed by immunohistochemical analysis. Int J Gynecol Pathol 26(4):404-9, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17885490.
- Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Lu KH, Coleman RL, Sood AK, Malpica A, Deavers MT, Silva EG, Bodurka DC. Clinical behavior of stage II-IV low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Obstet Gynecol 108(2):361-8, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16880307.
- Malpica A, Deavers MT, Lu K, Bodurka DC, Atkinson EN, Gershenson DM, Silva EG. Grading ovarian serous carcinoma using a two-tier system. Am J Surg Pathol 28:496-504, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15087669.
- Crispens MA, Bodurka D, Deavers M, Lu K, Silva EG, Gershenson DM. Response and survival in patients with progressive or recurrent serous ovarian tumors of low malignant potential. Obstet Gynecol 99:3-10, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 11777502.
- Morris RT, Gershenson DM, Silva EG, Follen M, Morris M, Wharton JT. Outcome and reproductive function after conservative surgery for borderline ovarian tumors. Obstet Gynecol 95(4):541-7, 2000. e-Pub 2000. PMID: 10725486.
- Gershenson DM, Silva EG, Tortolero-Luna G, Levenback C, Morris M, Tornos C. Serous borderline tumors of the ovary with noninvasive peritoneal implants. Cancer 83(10):2157-63, 1998. e-Pub 1998. PMID: 9827720.
- Gershenson DM, Silva EG, Levy L, Burke TW, Wolf JK, Tornos C. Ovarian serous borderline tumors with invasive peritoneal implants. Cancer 82(6):1096-103, 1998. e-Pub 1998. PMID: 9506355.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 07, 2025