Carolyn Lefkowits, MD, MPH, MS

Associate Professor, OB-GYN-Gynecologic Oncology


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, Harvard Medical School (2007)
Graduate Schools
  • MPH, Harvard School of Public Health (2006)
  • MS, University of Pittsburgh (2014)
Undergraduate School
  • BSc, Queen’s University (Kingston Ontario Canada) (2001)
Internship
  • University of California (San Francisco) Program (2008)
Residency
  • University of California (San Francisco) Program, Obstetrics and Gynecology (2011)
Fellowships
  • UPMC Medical Education/Magee-Women's Hospital Program, Gynecologic Oncology (2015)
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hospice and Palliative Medicine (2012)
Languages
English
Department
OB-GYN-Gynecologic Oncology

Publications

  • Lefkowits C, Teuteberg W, Courtney-Brooks M, Sukumvanich P, Ruskin R, Kelley JL. Improvement in symptom burden within one day after palliative care consultation in a cohort of gynecologic oncology inpatients. Gynecol Oncol. 2015 Mar;136(3):424-8. PubMed PMID: 25546112
  • Hay CM, Lefkowits C, Crowley-Matoka M, Bakitas MA, Clark LH, Duska LR, Urban RR, Chen LM, Creasy SL, Schenker Y. Gynecologic Oncologist Views Influencing Referral to Outpatient Specialty Palliative Care. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2017 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28060140
  • Lefkowits C, Duska L. Opioid Use in Gynecologic Oncology; Balancing Efficacy, Accessibility and Safety: An SGO Clinical Practice Statement. Gynecol Oncol. 2016 Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27988048
  • Lefkowits C, Solomon C. Palliative Care in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;128(6):1403-1420. PubMed PMID: 27824769
  • Hay CM, Courtney-Brooks M, Lefkowits C, Hagan TL, Edwards RP, Donovan HS. Symptom management in women with recurrent ovarian cancer: Do patients and clinicians agree on what symptoms are most important?. Gynecol Oncol. 2016 Nov;143(2):367-370. PubMed PMID: 27531571
  • Greear G, Lefkowits C, Parrillo LM, Flynn BJ. Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction after Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies with Radiation. Bladder Dysfunction Reports June 2016
  • Ruskin R, Arnold R, Buss M, Rabow M, Lefkowits C. Palliative & End of Life Care for Women with Ovarian Cancer: the State of the Science. White paper for Institute of Medicine report Ovarian Cancers: Evolving Paradigms in Research and Care, released March 2016
  • Garcia C, Lefkowits C, Pelkofski E, Blackhall L, Duska LR. Prospective screening with the validated Opioid Risk Tool demonstrates gynecologic oncology patients are at low risk for opioid misuse. Gynecol Oncol. 2017 Nov;147(2):456-459. PubMed PMID: 28807366
  • Hay CM, Lefkowits C, Crowley-Matoka M, Bakitas MA, Clark LH, Duska LR, Urban RR, Creasy SL, Schenker Y. Strategies for Introducing Outpatient Specialty Palliative Care in Gynecologic Oncology. J Oncol Pract. 2017 Sep;13(9):e712-e720. PubMed PMID: 28763259
  • Stokes WA, Robin TP, Jackson MW, Amini A, Schefter TE, Lefkowits CC, Fisher CM. Patterns of Adjuvant Therapy Utilization in Uterine Carcinosarcoma Stages I to III: A National Cancer Database Analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2017 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28654573
  • Hay CM, Lefkowits C, Crowley-Matoka M, Bakitas MA, Clark LH, Duska LR, Urban RR, Chen LM, Creasy SL, Schenker Y. Gynecologic Oncologist Views Influencing Referral to Outpatient Specialty Palliative Care. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2017 Mar;27(3):588-596. PubMed PMID: 28060140
  • Lefkowits C, Duska L. Opioid Use in Gynecologic Oncology; Balancing Efficacy, Accessibility and Safety: An SGO Clinical Practice Statement. Gynecol Oncol. 2017 Feb;144(2):232-234. PubMed PMID: 27988048
  • Ramzan AA, Fischer S, Buss MK, Urban RR, Patsner B, Duska LR, Fisher CM, Lefkowits C. Opioid use in gynecologic oncology in the age of the opioid epidemic: Part II - Balancing safety & accessibility. Gynecol Oncol. 2018 May;149(2):401-409. PubMed PMID: 29544707
  • Lefkowits C, Buss MK, Ramzan AA, Fischer S, Urban RR, Fisher CM, Duska LR. Opioid use in gynecologic oncology in the age of the opioid epidemic: Part I - Effective opioid use across clinical settings, a society of gynecologic oncology evidence-based review. Gynecol Oncol. 2018 May;149(2):394-400. PubMed PMID: 29472016
  • Stokes WA, Robin TP, Jackson MW, Amini A, Schefter TE, Lefkowits CC, Fisher CM. Patterns of Adjuvant Therapy Utilization in Uterine Carcinosarcoma Stages I to III: A National Cancer Database Analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2018 Oct;41(10):927-932. PubMed PMID: 28654573
  • Evolving Trends in the Management of High-intermediate Risk Endometrial Cancer in the United States. Gynecologic Oncology In press
  • Urban RR, Fay EE, Podgurski L, Bevis K, Carey EC, Lefkowits C, Amory J. Pilot study of a condensed communication skills workshop for gynecologic oncology fellows. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2019 Nov;30:100492. PubMed PMID: 31538106
  • Nitecki R, Fu S, Lefkowits C, Smith BD, Meyer LA, Melamed A, Giordano SH, Rauh-Hain JA. Employment disruption following the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Nov 9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33183765
  • Shalowitz DI, Lefkowits C, Landrum LM, von Gruenigen VE, Spillman MA. Principles of ethics and critical communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Sep;158(3):526-530. PubMed PMID: 32622474
  • Guntupalli SR, Brennecke A, Behbakht K, Tayebnejad A, Breed CA, Babayan LM, Cheng G, Ramzan AA, Wheeler LJ, Corr BR, Lefkowits C, Sheeder J, Matsuo K, Flink D. Safety and Efficacy of Apixaban vs Enoxaparin for Preventing Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Women Undergoing Surgery for Gynecologic Malignant Neoplasm: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Jun 1;3(6):e207410. PubMed PMID: 32589230
  • Rauh LA, Sullivan MW, Camacho F, Janke MJ, Duska LR, Chandler C, Sukumvanich P, Courtney-Brooks M, Lefkowits C. Validation of the surprise question in gynecologic oncology: A one-question screen to promote palliative care integration and advance care planning. Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Jun;157(3):754-758. PubMed PMID: 32171568
  • Kim CH, Lefkowits C, Holschneider C, Bixel K, Pothuri B. Managing opioid use in the acute surgical setting: A society of gynecologic oncology clinical practice statement. Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Jun;157(3):563-569. PubMed PMID: 32107049
  • Buckingham L, Janssen M, Ray EM, Tucker K, Davidson BA, Arenth J, Lefkowits C, Jones JA, Gehrig P, Jones CA. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Caring for Serious Illness in Pregnancy. J Palliat Med. 2020 May;23(5):712-718. PubMed PMID: 31928374
  • Ross ME, Wheeler LJ, Flink DM, Lefkowits C. Pre-operative opioid use in gynecologic oncology: a common comorbidity relevant to the peri-operative period. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2019 Nov;29(9):1411-1416. PubMed PMID: 31473659
  • Ward K, Ramzan A, Sheeder J, Fischer S, Lefkowits C. Persistent opioid use after radiation therapy in opioid-naive cervical cancer survivors. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2019 Sep;29(7):1105-1109. PubMed PMID: 31420413
  • Lefkowits C, Bevis K, Carey EC, Sheeder J, Arnold RM, Podgurski L. Gynecologic oncology providers endorse practice-changing impact of communication skills training. Gynecol Oncol. 2019 Jun;153(3):633-638. PubMed PMID: 30979590
  • Moroney MR, Davies KD, Wilberger AC, Sheeder J, Post MD, Berning AA, Fisher C, Lefkowits C, Guntupalli SR, Behbakht K, Corr BR. Molecular markers in recurrent stage I, grade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancers. Gynecol Oncol. 2019 Jun;153(3):517-520. PubMed PMID: 30910249
  • Moroney MR, Lefkowits C. Evidence for integration of palliative care into surgical oncology practice and education. J Surg Oncol. 2019 Jul;120(1):17-22. PubMed PMID: 30892710
  • Zakem SJ, Robin TP, Smith DE, Amini A, Stokes WA, Lefkowits C, Fisher CM. Evolving trends in the management of high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer in the United States. Gynecol Oncol. 2019 Mar;152(3):522-527. PubMed PMID: 30876498
  • Hill BL, Moroney MR, Post MD, Sawyer B, Sheeder J, Wolsky RJ, Lefkowits C. Can we safely forgo hysterectomy in non-fertility-sparing surgery for borderline ovarian tumors?. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2021 May;36:100730. PubMed PMID: 33665295
  • Hill BL, Lefkowits C. Strategies for Optimizing Perioperative Pain Management for the Cancer Patient. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;30(3):519-534. PubMed PMID: 34053666
  • Nitecki R, Fu S, Jorgensen KA, Gray L, Lefkowits C, Smith BD, Meyer LA, Melamed A, Giordano SH, Ramirez PT, Rauh-Hain JA. Employment disruption among women with gynecologic cancers. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2022 Jan;32(1):69-78. PubMed PMID: 34785522
  • Brown AJ, duPont N, Alvarez RD, Spillman MA, Landrum L, Lefkowits C. MAID ready for primetime?: A survey of SGO members regarding medical aid in dying (MAID). Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2021 Aug;37:100829. PubMed PMID: 34277920
  • Hill BL, Lefkowits C. Strategies for Optimizing Perioperative Pain Management for the Cancer Patient. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;30(3):519-534. PubMed PMID: 34053666
  • Hill BL, Moroney MR, Post MD, Sawyer B, Sheeder J, Wolsky RJ, Lefkowits C. Can we safely forgo hysterectomy in non-fertility-sparing surgery for borderline ovarian tumors?. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2021 May;36:100730. PubMed PMID: 33665295
  • Nitecki R, Fu S, Lefkowits C, Smith BD, Meyer LA, Melamed A, Giordano SH, Rauh-Hain JA. Employment disruption following the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2021 Jan;160(1):199-205. PubMed PMID: 33183765
  • Davidson BA, Havrilesky LJ, Lefkowitz C. Opportunities to Advance the Delivery of High-Quality, Goal-Concordant End-of-Life Care in Ovarian Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Nov 8;:OP2100699. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34748389
  • Salyer C, Littell RD, Pearl ML, Brown AJ, Popowich S, Lefkowits C, Spoozak L. Palliative care in gynecologic oncology: a narrative review of current literature and vision for the future. Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Nov;11(11):3542-3554. PubMed PMID: 36366900
  • Akapo A, Anishchenko K, Lefkowits C, Greenwood AL. Therapeutic Options for Brain Metastases in Gynecologic Cancers. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2022 Nov;23(11):1601-1613. PubMed PMID: 36255665
  • Haag JG, Adler AD, Sheeder J, Brubaker LW, Lefkowits C. Patterns of palliative care referral in platinum resistant ovarian cancer demonstrate reactive rather than proactive approach. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2022 Oct;43:101053. PubMed PMID: 35958954
  • Haag J, Sanders BE, Walker Keach J, Lefkowits C, Sheeder J, Behbakht K. Impact of blinding interviewers to written applications on ranking of Gynecologic Oncology fellowship applicants from groups underrepresented in medicine. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2022 Feb;39:100935. PubMed PMID: 35141387
  • Nitecki R, Fu S, Jorgensen KA, Gray L, Lefkowits C, Smith BD, Meyer LA, Melamed A, Giordano SH, Ramirez PT, Rauh-Hain JA. Employment disruption among women with gynecologic cancers. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2022 Jan;32(1):69-78. PubMed PMID: 34785522
  • Davidson BA, Havrilesky LJ, Lefkowitz C. Opportunities to Advance the Delivery of High-Quality, Goal-Concordant End-of-Life Care in Ovarian Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract. 2022 Mar;18(3):161-163. PubMed PMID: 34748389
  • Persenaire C, Spinosa DL, Brubaker LW, Lefkowits CJ. Incorporation of Palliative Care in Gynecologic Oncology. Curr Oncol Rep. 2023 Nov;25(11):1295-1305. PubMed PMID: 37792249
  • Fresia J, Boe B, Breed C, Lefkowits C. Ovarian dysgerminoma in a 14-year-old presenting with an adnexal mass and elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). Journal of Case Reports & Images in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Practice Locations

University of Colorado Cancer Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
1665 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0300

CU Medicine Gynecologic Oncology - Broomfield
340 E 1st Ave Suite 101
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 724-2066

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Center Affiliations

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Gynecologic Oncology, Board Certification (2018)
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Board Certification (2016)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Cancers - Cancer Surgery
  • Cancers - Cervical Cancer
  • Cancers - Chemotherapy
  • Cancers - Gynecologic Cancer
  • Cancers - Living with Cancer
  • Cancers - Ovarian Cancer
  • Cancers - Uterine Cancer
  • Cancers
Clinical Interests
Gynecologic Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Cancers - Cancer Surgery, Cancers - Cervical Cancer, Cancers - Chemotherapy, Cancers - Gynecologic Cancer, Cancers - Living with Cancer, Cancers - Ovarian Cancer, Cancers - Uterine Cancer, Cancers

Care Philosophy
Dr. Carolyn Lefkowits was drawn to gynecologic oncology in order to help patients throughout the course of their illness, including surgical and non-surgical treatments, surveillance and follow-up care after treatment. She has an inherent love of the field and its collaborative nature, both among fellow clinicians and her patients.