
Overview
Background
Professor Obermair is the Director of Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research (QCGC Research). He is a Professor of Gynaecological Oncology since 2007, a Senior Medical Officer at Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital and a Visiting Medical Officer at St Andrews War Memorial Hospital and Buderim Private Hospital. He holds an Honorary title of Professor at UQ since 2006.
Professor Obermair is an internationally recognised leader in gynaecological oncology research and treatment and has lead the research team at QCGC Research since establishing it in 2003.
Availability
- Professor Andreas Obermair is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctoral Diploma of Medicine, International University Vienna
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Research interests
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Clinical Trials
Decisions on cancer management ideally are based on the results of high-level evidence, obtained through clinical trials whenever possible. As a principle, a new (proposed better) intervention should be compared to the current standard treatment before being made available generally. Outside a clinical trial new treatments should not become available until evidence has become available to demonstrate superiority over the current standard treatment. Retrospective studies harbour the risk that biases influenced outcomes. At QCGC Research we engage in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. In large phase trials, patients are allocated randomly to one of two or more interventions in order to minimise the risk of bias. Generally, patients treated within clinical trials have a better outcome compared to patients who are not treated in clinical trials. As the Director of Research Gynaecological Oncology I am currently involved in developing and managing clinical trials in gynaecological cancers.
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Translational Research
The focus of QCGC Research's translational research program is the application of new technology (molecular, biochemical, imaging and surgical) to prevention, detection and therapy for gynaecological cancers.
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Quality of Life Research
Cancer specialists are aware that not only the survival time but also the quality of life is a key factor in cancer treatment. This is especially important when two treatments are equally effective but cause different side-effects. My Quality-of-Life research focuses on ovarian, endometrial, cervical and vulval cancer. I wish to provide the best, most effective and modern treatment to my patients with least possible detriments to quality of life.
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Minimally Invasive Surgery
In Australia, around 30,000 hysterectomies are conducted annually to treat uterine cancer and various benign gynaecological conditions. While open abdominal surgery may be necessary in around 10% of cases, evidence shows that less-invasive approaches, such as total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) can achieve better outcomes for women at a lower overall cost to the health system. Yet, in Queensland, four of ten hysterectomies are still conducted by open abdominal surgery. Our own research has shown that many Australian surgeons are keen to adopt new techniques such as TLH, but that the lack of systematic training and mentoring opportunities is the main impediment to practice-change. Together with gynaecological surgical teams at hospitals and industry support we developed a prototype for system-level transformative practice change in gynaecological surgery.
Research impacts
Professor Obermair is an innovative and skilled gynaecologic oncologist, surgical teacher and consumer advocate. His international leadership and research impact was acknowledged in 2020 by the Australian community, when he was awarded an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship Level 2 (2021-25). The national impact of his research was recognised in 2017, when he was awarded Cancer Australia’s Jeannie Ferris Recognition Award (2017), for outstanding achievements in clinical practice and research. He is deeply engaged in consumer involvement and co-founded and serves on the Board of the Cherish Foundation, a consumer-focussed organisation that funds clinical research in better treatments for women with gynaecological cancers.
Works
Search Professor Andreas Obermair’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Long-acting, progestin-based contraceptives and risk of breast, gynecological, and other cancers
Tuesley, Karen M., Spilsbury, Katrina, Pearson, Sallie-Anne, Donovan, Peter, Obermair, Andreas, Coory, Michael D., Ali, Sitwat, Pandeya, Nirmala, Stewart, Louise, Jordan, Susan J. and Webb, Penelope M. (2025). Long-acting, progestin-based contraceptives and risk of breast, gynecological, and other cancers. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute djae282. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djae282
2024
Journal Article
Mild symptoms matter: results from a prospective, longitudinal study on the relationship between symptoms, lymphedema and health-related outcomes post-gynecological cancer
Plinsinga, Melanie L., Rye, Sheree, Jones, Tamara, Vagenas, Dimitrios, Ward, Leigh, Janda, Monika, Obermair, Andreas and Hayes, Sandra C. (2024). Mild symptoms matter: results from a prospective, longitudinal study on the relationship between symptoms, lymphedema and health-related outcomes post-gynecological cancer. Gynecologic Oncology, 191, 158-164. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.10.011
2024
Journal Article
The prognosis of stage IA cervical cancer: Subgroup analysis of the SCCAN study
Ng, Zheng Yuan, Manchanda, Ranjit, Lopez, Aldo, Obermair, Andreas, Dostalek, Lukas, Pareja, Rene, van Lonkhuijzen, Luc R.C.W., Falconer, Henrik, Ortiz, David Isla, Fagotti, Anna, Ramirez, Pedro T., Landoni, Fabio, Weinberger, Vit, Laky, Rene, Kim, Sarah H., Klat, Jaroslav, Kocian, Roman, Pari, Darwin, Borcinova, Martina, Nemejcova, Kristyna and Cibula, David (2024). The prognosis of stage IA cervical cancer: Subgroup analysis of the SCCAN study. Gynecologic Oncology, 191, 95-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.09.022
2024
Conference Publication
Outcomes of low-volume metastatic disease among patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy: Results from the International Vulvar Cancer Consortium (IVUCCO)
Nasioudis, Dimitrios, Grcevich, Leah, Albright, Benjamin, McDonald, Megan, Grassi, Tommaso, Zach, Diana, Wallace, Sumer, Tsibulak, Irina, Mantia-Smaldone, Gina, Anastasio, Mary Katherine, Reis, Ricardo Dos, AlHilli, Mariam, Do, Anthony, Baiocchi, Glauco, Cucinella, Giuseppe, Labban, Nayla, Gregorich, Nicole, Heredia, Fernando, Pereira, Augusto, Buckingham, Lindsey, Obermair, Andreas, Mariani, Andrea, Plante, Marie and Giuntoli, Robert (2024). Outcomes of low-volume metastatic disease among patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy: Results from the International Vulvar Cancer Consortium (IVUCCO). Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer and 2024 Winter Meeting, San Diego, CA United States, 16 - 18 March 2024. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.07.048
2024
Conference Publication
The ECHO-R Exercise Trial For Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Robust Evidence In An Understudied Population
Spence, Rosalind R., Janda, Monika, Eakin, Elizabeth, Shannon, Catherine, Goh, Jeffrey, Beesley, Vanessa, Vagenas, Dimitrios, Webb, Penelope, Coward, Jermaine, Collins, Louisa G., O'Neill, Helene, Williams, Merran, Rye, Sheree, Melissa, Newton, Gildea, Gabrielle, Plinsinga, Melanie, Sandler, Carolina, Jones, Tamara, Baniahmadi, Sara, Nascimento, Marcelo, Nicklin, James, Garret, Andrea, Obermair, Andreas and Hayes, Sandra C. (2024). The ECHO-R Exercise Trial For Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Robust Evidence In An Understudied Population. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2024, Boston, MA United States, 28 - 31 May 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0001060808.73204.e6
2024
Conference Publication
EV430/#358 Benefit-harm trade-off for groin node dissection versus groin ultrasound monitoring to reduce the risk of surgery-related morbidity in vulvar cancer – a decision-tree analysis
Obermair, Andreas, West, Zoe, Baxter, Eva, Condous, George, Hacker, Neville, Lord, Sally, Mccarthy, Sandie, Janda, Monika, Tuffaha, Haitham, Hayes, Sandi, Disipio, Tracey, Mellon, Anne, Gebski, Val, Mcnally, Orla and Martin, Andrew (2024). EV430/#358 Benefit-harm trade-off for groin node dissection versus groin ultrasound monitoring to reduce the risk of surgery-related morbidity in vulvar cancer – a decision-tree analysis. IGCS 2024 Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 16-18 October 2024. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-igcs.551
2024
Journal Article
Impact of gated FDG PET/CT on the staging of patients with suspected or proven newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer: results from a non-randomized, phase II clinical trial
Virili, Florencia, Obermair, Andreas, Sanjida, Saira, Nicklin, James L, Garrett, Andrea, Land, Russell, Tang, Amy, Campbell, Louise, Gebski, Val and Thomas, Paul (2024). Impact of gated FDG PET/CT on the staging of patients with suspected or proven newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer: results from a non-randomized, phase II clinical trial. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, ijgc-2024. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-005633
2024
Journal Article
Use of menopausal hormone therapy before and after diagnosis and ovarian cancer survival—A prospective cohort study in Australia
Na, Renhua, Jordan, Susan J., DeFazio, Anna, Williams, Merran, Livingstone, Karen, Obermair, Andreas, Friedlander, Michael, Grant, Peter, Webb, Penelope M. and for the OPAL Study Group (2024). Use of menopausal hormone therapy before and after diagnosis and ovarian cancer survival—A prospective cohort study in Australia. International Journal of Cancer, 156 (2), 280-292. doi: 10.1002/ijc.35154
2024
Journal Article
The Impact of Surgical Complications on Obstetricians’ and Gynecologists' Wellbeing and Coping Mechanisms as Second Victims
COLLINGS, Rachel, POTTER, Christian, GEBSKI, Val, JANDA, Monika and OBERMAIR, Andreas (2024). The Impact of Surgical Complications on Obstetricians’ and Gynecologists' Wellbeing and Coping Mechanisms as Second Victims. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 232 (1), 104.e1-104.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.07.043
2024
Journal Article
Patients’ experiences of vulvar cancer diagnosis and treatment: results from a consumer-guided qualitative study
DiSipio, T., Johnston, M., Mellon, A., Williams, M., McQuire, L., Beller, E., Janda, M. and Obermair, A. (2024). Patients’ experiences of vulvar cancer diagnosis and treatment: results from a consumer-guided qualitative study. Cancer Survivorship Research & Care, 2 (1) 2368546, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/28352610.2024.2368546
2024
Journal Article
Controversies in the Surgical Management of Gynecologic Cancer: Balancing the Decision to Operate or Hesitate
Somasegar, Sahana, Anastasio, Mary Katherine, Karam, Amer, Rossi, Emma C. and Obermair, Andreas (2024). Controversies in the Surgical Management of Gynecologic Cancer: Balancing the Decision to Operate or Hesitate. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, 44 (3) e438550, 1-13. doi: 10.1200/edbk_438550
2024
Journal Article
LACC Trial: Final Analysis on Overall Survival Comparing Open Versus Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer
Ramirez, Pedro T., Robledo, Kristy P., Frumovitz, Michael, Pareja, Rene, Ribeiro, Reitan, Lopez, Aldo, Yan, Xiaojian, Isla, David, Moretti, Renato, Bernardini, Marcus Q., Gebski, Val, Asher, Rebecca, Behan, Vanessa, Coleman, Robert L. and Obermair, Andreas (2024). LACC Trial: Final Analysis on Overall Survival Comparing Open Versus Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42 (23), 2741-2746. doi: 10.1200/jco.23.02335
2024
Journal Article
Consensus on surgical technique for sentinel lymph node dissection in cervical cancer
Bizzarri, Nicolò, Obermair, Andreas, Hsu, Heng-Cheng, Chacon, Enrique, Collins, Anna, Tsibulak, Irina, Mutombo, Alex, Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R., Balaya, Vincent, Buda, Alessandro, Cibula, David, Covens, Allan, Fanfani, Francesco, Ferron, Gwenaël, Frumovitz, Michael, Guani, Benedetta, Kocian, Roman, Kohler, Christhardt, Leblanc, Eric, Lecuru, Fabrice, Leitao, Mario M, Mathevet, Patrice, Mueller, Michael D., Papadia, Andrea, Pareja, Rene, Plante, Marie, Querleu, Denis, Scambia, Giovanni, Tanner, Edward ... Ramirez, Pedro T. (2024). Consensus on surgical technique for sentinel lymph node dissection in cervical cancer. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 34 (4), 504-509. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-005151
2024
Other Outputs
Learnings from implementing a surgical training program
Obermair, Andreas, Gebski, Val, Hanna, George B., Coleman, Mark G., Graves, Nicholas, Tang, Amy, Garrett, Andrea, Walker, Graeme, Larwood, Kelvin and Janda, Monika (2024). Learnings from implementing a surgical training program. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/45c137b
2024
Journal Article
Mismatch repair status and surgical approach in apparent early-stage endometrial cancer
Morton, Rhett, Webb, Penelope M., Na, Renhua, Obermair, Andreas and Farrell, Rhonda (2024). Mismatch repair status and surgical approach in apparent early-stage endometrial cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 34 (4) ijgc-2023-005234, 535-543. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-005234
2024
Journal Article
Uterine transposition for fertility preservation in pelvic cancers
Ribeiro, Reitan, Baiocchi, Glauco, Obermair, Andreas, Costa, Caroline Nadai and Leitao, Mario (2024). Uterine transposition for fertility preservation in pelvic cancers. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 34 (3), 403-408. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004992
2024
Journal Article
Update on near infrared imaging technology: indocyanine green and near infrared technology in the treatment of gynecologic cancers
Manning-Geist, Beryl, Obermair, Andreas, Broach, Vance A, Leitao, Mario M, Zivanovic, Oliver and Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R (2024). Update on near infrared imaging technology: indocyanine green and near infrared technology in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 34 (3), 416-420. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004583
2024
Journal Article
Use of indocyanine green for ureteric illumination and visualization
Obermair, Helena M, Scasso, Santiago, Laufer, Joel and Obermair, Andreas (2024). Use of indocyanine green for ureteric illumination and visualization. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 34 (4) ijgc-2023-005042, 643-644. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-005042
2024
Journal Article
Pre-post feasibility trial of a telephone-delivered exercise intervention for patients during chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: the ECHO-R trial protocol
Hayes, Sandra C, Spence, Rosalind R, Janda, Monika, Eakin, Elizabeth, Shannon, Catherine, Goh, Jeffrey, Beesley, Vanessa L, Vagenas, Dimitrios, Webb, Penny, Coward, Jermaine, Gordon, Louisa G, O’Neill, Helene, Williams, Merran, Rye, Sheree, Newton, Melissa J, Baniahmadi, Sara, Nascimento, Marcelo, Nicklin, James, Garret, Andrea and Obermair, Andreas (2024). Pre-post feasibility trial of a telephone-delivered exercise intervention for patients during chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: the ECHO-R trial protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (1) e077158, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077158
2023
Journal Article
Experience of practicing obstetrician gynaecologists in a surgical training program in total laparoscopic hysterectomy
Magalski, Gabrielle R., Obermair, Andreas, Hanna, George B., Graves, Nicholas, Coleman, Mark G., Horsham, Caitlin, Sanjida, Saira, Vasconcelos Nogueira E Silva, Carina, Rao, Archana and Janda, Monika (2023). Experience of practicing obstetrician gynaecologists in a surgical training program in total laparoscopic hysterectomy. AJOG Global Reports, 3 (3) 100249, 100249. doi: 10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100249
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Andreas Obermair is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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feMMe: Uterus-preserving treatment of endometrial cancer
In 2020 we completed the feMMe, phase 2 cliniccal trial which established anticancer activity of levonorgestrel intrauterrine device (LNG-IUD) to treat endometrial cancer. The next two steps towards estabnlioshing this treatment for larger groups of patients include:
1. To determine factors that predict response to LNG-IUD
2. To determine long-term patient outcomes including survival, fertility, and patient needs.
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Improving Quality of Survival for Women with Gynaecological Cancer
- Focus on improving quality of life, health & function during & after gynaecological cancer treatment, with a focus on biomarker research, implementation research and cancer survivorship.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced methods for biomarker informed endometrial cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eva Baxter, Dr Zoe West, Professor Andrew Martin
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Master Philosophy
Patterns of care in endometrial cancer management in Queensland: a retrospective analysis.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eva Baxter
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Doctor Philosophy
Diet quality and composition in Australian women with endometrial cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Monika Janda
Completed supervision
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Hereditary endometrial cancer: Improving identification and referral of patients with suspected Lynch syndrome
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Amanda Spurdle, Associate Professor Lisa Fitzgerald
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Nutritional status of patients with gynaecological cancer -
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Cleghorn
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Media
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