Gynecological Cancer
Gynecological cancers include cancers of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina, vulva and fallopian tubes. Over 80,000 women in the US are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer (gynecologics cancer) each year. More than half of these are uterine cancers.
Patients with gynecologic cancer are treated by a team of physicians that may include the following:
- A gynecologic oncologist is a gynecologist who specializes in surgery for gynecologic cancers. He or she may also administer chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer.
- A radiation oncologist is a physician who is trained to use radiation therapy to treat cancer.
- A medical oncologist is a physician trained to use chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Uterine (or endometrial) cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This surgery is called a hysterectomy. Depending on the findings, radiation therapy and /or chemotherapy may be added after surgery.
Ovarian cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the ovaries, uterus and other structures in the abdomen and pelvis. Chemotherapy is often recommended after surgery. Fallopian tube cancers are rare and are treated similarly to ovarian cancers.
Cervical cancer can be treated with either a hysterectomy, or radiation therapy. If the cervical cancer is small, surgery is usually done. However, with larger tumors, radiation therapy, often given along with low-dose chemotherapy, is preferred.
Vulvar cancer is treated with surgery; radiation therapy may need to be added after surgery in certain situations. If the vulvar cancer is large, radiation therapy may be used without surgery.
Vaginal cancers are treated with radiation therapy.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy is a series of high energy x-ray treatments delivered on a linear accelerator. The treatments are generally given daily, Monday through Friday, over several weeks. The daily treatments last about 15 to 20 minutes, and are painless.
Prior to beginning treatment, a planning session is done to define the area that needs to be treated. Usually this will involve having a CT scan done in the treatment position. Other studies, such as PET scans, MRIs or CT scans may be used to help the radiation oncologist identify the area of tumor involvement. 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are often used to minimize the radiation dose to normal structures while still targeting the area of tumor involvement with high doses of radiation.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy (or internal radiation therapy) involves placing radioactive sources near or in the cancer itself. This is particularly useful for vaginal, cervical, and uterine cancers. Often this is combined with external beam radiation therapy, and depending on the type of cancer, one or more brachytherapy sessions may be required.
There are several types of brachytherapy used for gynecologic cancers. They are divided into two main categories—high dose rate, and low dose rate.
High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is given over the course of several treatments as an outpatient. The applicator is positioned, and a source of radiation introduced. The treatment may take only a few minutes each time.
Low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy is delivered over 2-4 days, and involves hospitalization. The implant remains in place during the entire time, and generally the patient is confined to bed until it is removed.
Effective, safe and compassionate patient care is our top priority
Radiation side effects depend on what part of the body is being treated. For patients with gynecologic cancers, the pelvic area is usually treated, but treatment may also involve the groin regions, or upper abdomen.
Radiation side effects are cumulative, that is they slowly increase with each passing week of treatment. Most patients experience some fatigue which begins around the second or third week of treatment, and increases until the radiation therapy is completed. Diarrhea, urinary frequency or burning, vaginal discharge are other common side effects. Typically these sides effects resolve within a few weeks after treatment ends.
Your doctor will review specific side effects with you depending on your particular situation and the treatment required.
Effective, safe and compassionate patient care is our top priority
Latest News
Dr. Lonika Majithia publishes on The Clinical Utility of DCISionRT on Radiation Therapy Decision Making in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Following Breast-Conserving Surgery in Annals of Surgical Oncology
Abstract Background The role of radiation therapy (RT) following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains controversial. Trials have not identified a low-risk cohort, based on clinicopathologic features, who do not benefit from RT. A biosignature (DCISionRT®) that evaluates recurrence risk has been developed and validated. We evaluated the impact of DCISionRT […]
Dr. Avani Rao publishes on plan quality effects of proton therapy for central nervous system and skull base tumors in Radiotherapy and Oncology
Abstract Purpose With reports of CNS toxicity in patients treated with proton therapy at doses lower than would be expected based on photon data, it has been proposed that heavy monitor unit (MU) weighting of pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy spots may potentially increase the risk of toxicity. We evaluated the impact of maximum […]
Dr. Daniel Kim publishes on the implications of practice consolidation among radiation oncologists
Abstract Purpose Health care practices across the United States have been consolidating in response to various market forces. The degree of practice consolidation varies widely across specialties but has not been well studied within radiation oncology. This study used Medicare data to characterize the extent of practice consolidation among radiation oncologists and to investigate associated […]
Cancer Types
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