Medical and Surgical Gynecology in Florida

What Is Gynecologic Oncology and Complete Cancer Care?

Gynecologic Oncology is a subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology that focuses on diagnosing and treating women with cancers of the reproductive system. In the United States, this field developed in the early 1960s and was formalized with the founding of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists in 1969. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology recognized gynecologic oncology as a subspecialty in 1973. Physicians who specialize in this field have three to four years of advanced training in gynecologic oncology.

The gynecologic oncologist provides comprehensive cancer management, including diagnostic expertise, radical pelvic surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. He or she also manages any complications associated with the treatment or the disease and oversees a team of caregivers from many specialties to develop the best, individualized treatment for a woman diagnosed with cancer.

In most cases, surgery is the first step in treating a gynecologic cancer. The goal is the remove the tumor and any secondary tumors and to determine whether the cancer has spread. In early stages, surgery and possibly radiation treatment may be all that is needed. Once the cancer has spread, systemwide treatment with chemotherapy, hormones or biological agents usually becomes necessary. Advanced local disease or spread of the tumor to just the pelvis usually requires pelvic radiation, which can be combined with chemotherapy to improve treatment results. Doctors refer to this combination of treatments, specially designed for individual patients, as multimodality therapy or complete cancer care.

At Mayo Clinic in Florida, the gynecologic oncologist works closely with Hematology/Oncology and Radiation Oncology. The team manages the patient's care jointly. Every Friday morning, physicians and their staffs meet to discuss patients' treatment, new developments and research aspects of gynecologic oncology.

More details about treatments are available under the specific disease headings:

• Cervical cancer
• Cancer of the uterus
• Ovarian cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Gestational trophoblastic disease

For information on the Hope & Healing support group for women with gynecological cancers and their caregivers, visit Support Groups at Mayo Clinic.