This volume is the first of a new series dedicated to the historical developments in topics that are central to gynecological cancers.The six essays on ovarian cancer included here provide context from the perspective of experts in the field, illustrating what is required for the development and realization of medical innovation: (i) time consuming, decades-long basic research of the tumor genome and cancer cell biology, which may then set the basis for dramatic accelerations of recent therapeutic options; and (ii) the diligent assessment and fine-tuning of surgical techniques and concepts of patient prehabilitation and rehabilitation.