Hanny Pijnenborg appointed professor of Gynecological oncology 

Gynecological oncologist Hanny Pijnenborg has been appointed Professor of Gynecological oncology at Radboud university medical center / Radboud University. Through her research, she aims to improve care for women with gynecological tumors by developing personalized treatments. Among other achievements, she has developed a model for women with uterine cancer that estimates the risk of metastases.

In the Netherlands, approximately 2,000 women are diagnosed with uterine cancer each year. In about 10–15 percent of cases, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This means that, in addition to surgery to remove lymph nodes, these women also require further treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. However, to determining which women have lymph node metastases lymph nodes have to be removed additionally during surgery. ‘This is a more extensive surgical procedure, with potential side effects such as lymphedema’, explains gynecological oncologist Hanny Pijnenborg. ‘You only want to do this more extensive surgery if it’s truly necessary for the patient.’ 

To address this, she developed a model within a large European network that provides better insight into which patient has increased risk of metastases. This so-called ENDORISK model collects the results of all tests performed on a patient. By combining this data, the model can predict the likelihood of lymph node metastases. The model is now being used as supplementary information in several hospitals in the Netherlands.  

‘In the coming years, we will use ENDORISK in around 500 women as a support tool in clinical consultation. We hope this will support more active involvement of patients in the decision whether or not to remove lymph nodes, and assess whether the model is useful in clinical practice’, says Pijnenborg. The project is funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF). In follow-up research, radiation oncologist Casper Reijnen, involved as a postdoc, is developing ENDORISK-predict to determine who may benefit from additional radiation therapy.

Tailored care

Treatment recommendations are determined by guidelines, but a major limitation is that these are often based on studies involving young and fit patients. As a result, the effects of treatment are often overestimated for individual patients in the consultation room. Pijnenborg: ‘By properly recording treatments and outcomes in daily practice, we can learn a lot and offer better personalized care. Through collaboration with the Dutch Cancer Registry (IKNL) and the gynecological oncology quality registry (DGOA), we as physicians gain better insight into the effectiveness of our treatments. With this information, we can pursue a ‘patient-like-me’ approach, offering realistic expectations for patients.’

Lifestyle 

Hanny Pijnenborg feels responsible as physician, working often with vulnerable patients, to determine the best treatment option for them. She empowers women in changes to healthy lifestyle. One out of three cancers is caused by adjustable lifestyle factors, and in the case of uterine cancer, this is even one out of two. Overweight is a major risk factor. Pijnenborg is involved in a ZonMw project focused on patients with gynecological cancer and limited health literacy. ‘Together with our team and nurses, I am fully committed to improving patients’ lifestyles before and after intensive treatment. Because that’s where we can truly make a difference.’

She actively collaborates with the patient advisory board, which is part of research programs focused on gynecological oncology and breast cancer at Radboud university medical center. They provide valuable input for ongoing studies and new initiatives. Pijnenborg is pleased with the growing attention to women-specific health issues. Her new role as professor gives her the opportunity to further highlight these concerns. This helps bring tailored care directly into the consultation room. 

Career 

Hanny Pijnenborg studied Medicine in Maastricht. During her training as a gynecologist, she conducted research on the predictive value of biomarkers in recurrent uterine cancer (dissertation title: The Predictive Value of Molecular Markers for Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma). She worked at TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg before joining Radboudumc, where she specialized in gynecological oncology. Since 2022, she has chaired the Medical Advisory Board (MAR) of OLIJF, the foundation for women with gynecological cancer. She is also a board member of ENITEC, the European network in which researchers and clinicians collaborate to improve personalized treatment for uterine cancer. Her appointment as professor begins on November 1, 2025, for a period of five years. 

More information about the research of Hanny Pijnenborg and her colleagues can be found on this page of the Radboud Oncology Fund.

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