Gynecological Oncology

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in a woman’s reproductive organs, it is called gynaecologic cancer. The five main types of gynaecologic cancer are cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.

Since there is no simple and reliable way to screen for any gynaecologic cancers except cervical cancer, it is especially important to recognise warning signs and learn if there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

There are several ways to treat gynaecologic cancer. The treatment depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread.

Dr Elizabeth Hugo Specialises in Gynaecological Oncology and is one of very few doctors in South Africa who can perform many of these specialised surgical procedures.

ONCOLOGY PROCEDURES

Oncological patients are managed with a multidisciplinary approach. The team includes myself as the surgeon. Other team members may include radiation and chemotherapy medical oncologists, radiologists, general surgeons, plastic surgeons, urologists, genetic counselors, physiotherapist, dieticians and social work support. A multidisciplinary meeting takes place once a week where a patient’s management can be discussed if need be.
VULVAR CANCER

Assessment of the growth: Biopsy and excision of tumor inguinofemoral lymphnode dissection

VAGINAL CANCER

This is a rare form of cancer and is usually treated with radiation. Assessment, biopsy, staging and referral to radiation oncologist will be done.

CERVICAL CANCER
This form of cancer can be treated either with surgery of a combination of radiation and chemotherapy depending on the stage at presentation. Surgery that is offered is radical abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral removal of pelvic glands in early stage cancer. Fertility sparing surgery in the form of trachelectomy is offered in selected patients.
UTERINE CANCER
Uterine cancer normally occurs in the postmenopausal patient – the condition is assessed and is usually treated surgically. Surgical procedures offered are total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removal of pelvic lymphnodes removal of omentum. This procedure is offered via laparoscopy or laparotomy.
OVARIAN CANCER
The patient with ovarian cancer is assessed and the stage of disease determined. Some patients will be offered surgery that entails total abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy and removal of all other visible cancer. The surgical team for ovarian cancer normally consist of myself as well as a general surgeon. In some patients, it will be needed to administer chemotherapy first and do then do surgery at a later stage as soon as the tumour has shrunk.
ENDOMETRIUM MONITORING
Monitoring of the endometrium of breast cancer patients that are on hormonal therapy Breast cancer patients might be put onto Tamoxifen, Neophedan, Arimidex or similar treatments. These treatments may cause abnormal thickening of the endometrium which in rare cases may represent cancer of the uterus. These patients need a yearly assessment by examination and transvaginal ultrasound.

STAY INFORMED

Gynaecologic Cancer can affect women at any age.- Signs and symptoms are not the same for everyone, and each gynaecologic cancer has its own signs and symptoms.

It is important to recognize the warning signs and learn if there are things you can do to lower your risk.

Annual well-woman check-ups and health assessments can lower your risk and early detection.
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Suite 203, Block 1 Mediclinic Vergelegen, Main Rd, Somerset West, 7130