Gynecological Cancer Treatment
Gynecological cancers are treated through an interdisciplinary clinic. This means that rather than visiting a multitude of doctors, the team of doctors responsible for your cancer treatment visit you in one room. This may include surgeons, gynecologists, and radiation oncologists. The doctors will go over your cancer stage with you, and what the best treatment is for your cancer type.
Surgery may be performed to remove part of the tumor and surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. The tissue that is removed will be studied (pathology) and will help determine what stage your cancer is in.
Chemotherapy is used to help reduce metastasis (spreading) of the tumor and is prescribed and monitored by a medical oncologist (not a radiation oncologist). Chemotherapy is commonly administered in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. For some head and neck cancers, chemotherapy is given during the radiation treatment, resulting in a better effectiveness.
A variety of radiation therapies may be used; this depends on the type of cancer you have and what stage it is in. Radiation therapy may be brachytherapy, external beam, or a combination of the two. The therapists and nurses will also monitor you closely to make sure you don't have any reactions to treatment.
More information on gynecologic cancer and its treatments through the Holden Cancer Center's Cancer Information Service.
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For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call 319-356-2253. |
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