Rare tumors in gynaecological cancers and the lack of therapeutic options and clinical trials

Introduction: Up to 50% of gynecological cancers can be considered rare according to the Surveillance of Rare Cancers in Europe (RARECARE) consortium definition of an incidence of less than 6 cases per 100 000 people. These cancers usually have a poor prognosis as they are often delayed in their diagnosis and treatment due to the lack of knowledge.Areas covered: This review briefly addresses the current state of management and the lack of effective treatment strategies for the most commonly seen rare gynecological malignancies. It also highlights the challenges surrounding attempts to harmonize treatment practices and the role of the international medical community.Expert opinion: Given their rarity, biological and clinical data are lacking for many gynecological cancers. Current efforts are on-going to improve care of these patients, including the development of international consortia, prospective databases with biobanking, acceptance of novel clinical trial design and education of the medical field as well as improvement of patient awareness.