Karen McLean, MD, PhD, FACOG

Specialty: Gynecologic Oncology
Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program
Department of Gynecologic Oncology
Dr. M. Steven Piver Endowed Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology

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Cancers Treated:

Cervical Endometrium Fallopian Tube Ovarian Uterine Endometrial Vaginal Vulvar

Specializing In:

  • Cancers of the ovaries, uterus, cervix and vulva/vagina
  • Surgical management of gynecologic malignancies including laparotomy, robotic and conventional laparoscopy, complex pelvic surgeries including bowel and urologic components
  • Chemotherapy and clinical trials
  • Primary radiation for patients unable to undergo surgery

Research Interests:

  • Comprehensive care for women with gynecologic cancers
  • Translational laboratory research to discover new cancer treatments
  • Mentorship and education of trainees

Biography

I am a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with extensive experience as a principal investigator running a basic science laboratory concurrent with an active clinical gynecologic oncology practice including comprehensive surgical and chemotherapy care. I am committed to advancing our understanding of gynecologic cancers with the goal of improving outcomes for our patients.

McLean Laboratory

Positions

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • Professor of Oncology
  • Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program
  • Department of Gynecologic Oncology
  • Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
  • Dr. M. Steven Piver Endowed Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology

Background

Education and Training

  • 1995-2004 - PhD - Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • 1995-2004 - MD - Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Residency

  • 2004 -2008 - Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Fellowship

  • 2008 - 2011 - Gynecologic Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Board Certification

  • Obstetrics & Gynecology - American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Gynecologic Oncology - American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Professional Memberships

  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • Society of Gynecologic Oncology

Honors & Awards

  • Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Academy

Research Overview

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Can you get cervical cancer after a hysterectomy? Frequently Searched Questions: Cervical cancer Frequently Searched Questions: Uterine cancer Frequently Searched Questions: Ovarian cancer

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Can you get cervical cancer after a hysterectomy?
Hands holding a drawing of the female reproductive system, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix.
Frequently Searched Questions: Cervical cancer
Dr. Karen McLean listens to a female patient's heart with a stethoscope in clinic
Frequently Searched Questions: Uterine cancer
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Publications

  Full Publications list on PubMed

Mager KL, McLean K. Endometrial Cancer: A Review. JAMA. 2026 May 12;335(18):1616-1627. PMID: 41973450.

Duhon AA, McLean K. Navigating Solid Tumor Heterogeneity: The Promise and Challenges of Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Cancer Heterog Plast. 2025;2(4):10. PMID 41334034 / PMC12668522.

Nakatsuka E, Tan L, Cunneen B, Foster C, Lei YL, McLean K. Characterization of DNA damage repair pathway utilization in high-grade serous ovarian cancers yields rational therapeutic approaches. Transl Oncol. 2024 Dec;50:102119. PMID 39270525 / PMC11416511.

Tondo-Steele K, Milliron KJ, Siedel JH, Uppal S, Merajver SD, McLean K. Germline genetic testing reveals pathogenic variants in uterine serous carcinoma patients. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2024 Oct;55:101498. PMID 39297075 / PMC11408757.

Tan L, Tondo-Steele K, Foster C, McIlwain C, Bolland DE, Crawford HC, Sciallis A, McLean K. Inhibition of Tumor Microenvironment Cytokine Signaling Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Antiestrogen Therapy. Cancers 14:4675, 2022. PMC9564160.