Gynecologic Oncology (Women's Cancer Care)

Our weekly treatment planning conferences exemplify MedStar Health's team approach to caring for women with these cancers. These meetings allow representatives from gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, research, rehabilitation, and nursing to review new cases and optimize the treatment plan for each patient.

At MedStar Health, you'll also find:

• Expertise in minimally invasive gynecologic cancer surgery: Whenever possible, our gynecologic oncologists operate using the least invasive techniques possible, including laparoscopy and robotic surgery.
• Dedication to advancing women's cancer care through research: We continue investigating new and better ways to detect, manage, and treat these diseases through clinical trials that test emerging approaches in gynecologic cancer care.
• Personalized and comprehensive support services: From diagnosis through recovery, you'll have access to a wide range of specialties and services to help you thrive physically and emotionally.
• Convenient locations near you: We bring expert gynecologic oncology care close to where you live and work with several offices throughout the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region.

These cancers are a group of malignancies that affect the female reproductive organs. Each specific type of gynecologic cancer is unique, presenting with different risk factors and signs. Therefore, a precise diagnosis is important to receiving the most effective treatment. Learn more about the types of gynecologic cancers we treat below.

Cervical cancer

The cervix is the lower end of the uterus (womb). When abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, they can develop into cancer. This is one of the most common types of cancer affecting the female reproductive system. Fortunately, regular cervical cancer screening can help detect it early when it is more easily treated.

Learn More About Cervical Cancer

Ovarian cancer and fallopian tube (tubal) cancer

Ovarian cancers begin in the ovaries, the walnut-sized organs responsible for producing eggs and female hormones. Women have one ovary on each side of the uterus, which passes eggs through the fallopian tubes into the uterus. Cancer can also develop in the fallopian tubes (tubal cancer), and these cancers are often staged and treated similarly.

Learn More About Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Cancer

Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer)

Uterine cancer encompasses two main types of cancer. The most common type is endometrial cancer, which begins in the endometrium (uterine lining). As a result, most people consider "uterine cancer" and "endometrial cancer" the same. A second, rarer type is uterine sarcoma, which begins in the muscular wall of the uterus and is treated differently.

Learn More About Uterine Cancer

Vaginal cancer

This rare type of cancer begins in the vagina, which connects your cervix to the vulva. Because it is linked to certain strains of the HPV infection, getting an HPV vaccine may reduce the risk of the disease. Because many people don't experience symptoms in early stages, it's important to stay on top of routine pelvic exams and Pap tests.

Learn More About Vaginal Cancer

Vulvar cancer

The vulva is the external opening around the vagina. Although rare, vulvar cancer can develop slowly over years if precancerous lesions (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, or VIN) aren’t detected and managed early. Risk factors for this type of cancer include having an HPV infection. Although there are no universal screening guidelines, being aware of your risk and seeking regular gynecologic care may help you to maintain good health.

Learn More About Vulvar Cancer

Each woman's treatment plan will be as unique as she is. Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, a woman's overall health, and her personal preferences.

Types of surgery for gynecologic cancers

MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the most current and effective clinical expertise and surgical treatment for gynecological cancer. One of the priorities for our gynecologic oncologists, who also perform surgery, is to provide minimally invasive surgical options for patients, including robotic surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and fertility-sparing surgeries. The benefits of these types of surgeries include:

• Less pain
• Faster recovery, which means an earlier return to your normal activity levels and less time away from work
• Shorter hospital stays (typically overnight rather than several nights)
• Decreased blood loss

Our physicians are careful about recommending certain types of surgeries. The success of a surgery will depend on many complicated factors. Therefore, not every surgery will be right for every patient.

Learn more about some of these procedures below.

Fertility-sparing surgery

A cancer diagnosis is a devastating blow for anyone. However, for a woman who wishes to have children, the diagnosis of gynecologic cancer can strike extra hard. Many of the treatment options available to combat the disease can have a negative effect on a woman's fertility. The good news is that with advances in the field of fertility-sparing surgeries, a woman with gynecological cancer may still be able to have children in the future.

The key factor in fertility-sparing surgery is how advanced the disease is, which is often not known until the surgery. Your surgeon will discuss your surgical options with you prior to the surgery. It is important that you discuss your wish to have children with your doctors.

Trachelectomy

If cervical cancer is advanced, but still limited to the cervix, a trachelectomy may be a surgical option for you. This procedure removes the cervix and the upper part of the vagina, leaving the uterus in place. It can preserve your fertility, though there are extra steps you need to take during your subsequent pregnancy.

Normally, the cervix acts as a "gate" during pregnancy, keeping the fetus safe in the uterus. Because your cervix was removed, your surgeon will make a small stitch at the bottom of the uterus, to act as a replacement for the cervix, and help keep the pregnancy inside your uterus. Pregnancy following a trachelectomy does carry a higher risk for miscarriage or a premature birth. You would also require a cesarean section to deliver the baby.

Pelvic reconstruction surgery

For women who have undergone extensive surgeries to remove cancer, we offer pelvic reconstructive surgery, a surgical specialty not available at all hospitals. The goal of this procedure is to restore anatomy and function of the pelvic area. Not only can this surgery reduce problems and side effects from cancer treatments, but it can also improve your quality of life.

Pelvic reconstructive surgery may consist of creating a new vagina, bladder, or pelvic floor in a functional and aesthetically pleasing manner. It includes the following specific procedures:

• A prolapsed pelvis occurs when the muscles inside your pelvis weaken, making it difficult for them to support your pelvic organs (the vagina, uterus, bladder, and bowel). The organs then begin to fall and shift against each other. Reconstruction of the pelvic floor recreates that support and may treat urinary or fecal incontinence.
• Recurrent cervical cancer exenteration is an extreme type of surgery in which all of the organs of the pelvis, including the bladder and rectum, are removed. The bladder and vagina are rebuilt from the patient's own tissues. This procedure is performed on women who have recurrent cervical cancer. (Recurrent cancer keeps coming back, even after treatment.)

Non-surgical gynecologic cancer treatments

To achieve the best possible outcomes, other women's cancer treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or hormonal therapy, depending on the stage and type of cancer. We also participate in clinical trials, when appropriate.

Chemotherapy

Systemic therapy delivers cancer-fighting drugs to cancerous cells throughout the body.

Learn More About Chemotherapy

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy

Learn More About Immunotherapy

Learn More About Targeted Therapy

Radiation therapy

High-energy radiation X-ray or particle beams target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue whenever possible.

Learn More About Radiation Therapy

Clinical trials

As promising treatment options emerge, we participate in investigational studies that may offer hope for women with cancer that hasn't responded to other treatments.

Learn More About Clinical Trials