Gynecologic Oncology

Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system. This includes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of malignancies involving:

1. Ovaries (Ovarian cancer)

2. Uterus (Endometrial or uterine cancer)

3. Cervix (Cervical cancer)

4. Vagina (Vaginal cancer)

5. Vulva (Vulvar cancer)

6. Fallopian tubes (Fallopian tube cancer, often grouped with ovarian cancer)

Key Aspects of Gynecologic Oncology:

• Specialist training: Gynecologic oncologists are obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who undergo additional years of training to manage complex gynecologic cancers surgically and medically.

• Multimodal treatment: Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy—often in combination.

• Surgical expertise: These specialists are trained in advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery, for cancer staging and removal.

• Preventive care and screening:

  • Pap smears and HPV testing for cervical cancer.

  • Genetic testing (e.g., BRCA mutations) for ovarian and breast cancer risk.

  • Counseling for hereditary cancer syndromes (like Lynch syndrome or BRCA mutations).

• Supportive care: Management includes attention to quality of life, fertility preservation, and psychosocial support.