What is gynecologic oncology
A gynecologic oncologist is a subspecialist within gynecology who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancers that develop in and affect the female reproductive system.
Within this type of cancers are those that originate in the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva, and these are some examples of what gynecologic oncology addresses.
What a gynecologic oncologist sees
What a gynecologic oncologist sees are various types of cancer such as:
- Uterine and endometrial cancer: one of the most frequent types in gynecology and especially affecting postmenopausal women.
- Ovarian cancer: one of the most dangerous cancers because it is often diagnosed late.
- Cervical cancer or cervical cancer: linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Vaginal and vulvar cancer: a rare type of cancer, but still addressed by the gynecologic oncologist.
Beyond treating these types of cancer, gynecologic oncologists play a crucial role in prevention, through support with various screening tests such as cervical cytology (Pap smear) and HPV typing.
Additionally, they support fertility management for women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, either with less radical surgical options or hormonal treatments if the patient is a candidate.
Gynecologic oncologic surgeon
Surgery is an oncology option and one of the main tools to treat gynecologic cancer. For this reason, the gynecologic oncologic surgeon is a specialist who can perform various procedures, used in early or late stages with different options.
- Surgery for cervical cancer: depending on the stage at which cancer is detected, more or less conservative procedures can be performed, ranging from removing part of the cervix to removing the entire uterus, cervix, and part of the surrounding tissues.
- Surgery for ovarian cancer: cytoreduction procedure, where as much of the tumor as possible is removed.
- Vulvectomy surgery: when cancer has developed in the vulva, it can be partially or completely removed.
- Advanced diseases: not every surgical procedure in cancer aims to be curative; sometimes it serves to alleviate symptoms, stop progression, or treat other conditions affecting the patient.
The gynecologic oncologist plays an essential role in women’s health, addressing different treatment options to find the one that can provide the best results for each patient.
Gynecologic oncologist near me
At the Cancer Center of Centro Médico ABC, we have a team of specialists in gynecologic oncology, highly trained and dedicated to offering comprehensive and personalized care for all your oncologic needs.
Our gynecologic oncologists in CDMX are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and more.
Fuentes:
Cancun Center Institute, Elsevier, UNM