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Gynecologic Cancer

Welcome to The Norma Pfriem Cancer Institute at Bridgeport Hospital. We provide expert care for women with gynecologic cancers.

Whether you are concerned about your cancer risk or are seeking treatment, our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists will work together to develop an individual treatment plan just for you.

This collaboration provides patients and families with a combination of state-of-the-art diagnostic services, treatment plan and support for every stage of disease.

Gynecologic Cancer at a Glance

Gynecologic refers to a woman’s reproductive system. Cancers in this region include:

  • Cervical cancer
  • Endometrial cancer (also called uterine cancer)
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Peritoneal cancer - A rare cancer that develops in the peritoneum, a thin, delicate sheet that lines the inside wall of the abdomen and covers the uterus and extends over the bladder and rectum.
  • Tubal cancer – A rare cancer that develops in the fallopian tubes, the connection between the ovaries and the uterus.
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vulvar cancer

Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Prevention

Internal examinations: One of the best ways to protect yourself from a gynecologic cancer is to have regular internal examinations by your gynecologist (GYN or OB/GYN).

Pap Test: Cervical cancer is avoidable with regular screenings and follow-up care. The Pap test can detect cell changes that may lead to cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, or womb. Women age 30 and older can also have the HPV DNA test. This test can check a sample of cervical cells for the presence of the genetic material (DNA) of human papillomaviruses (HPVs).

Oral Contraceptives & Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): In the United States, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. Because more is known now about what can lead to endometrial cancer (using oral contraceptives, HRT, etc.), the number of new cases of endometrial cancer has been decreasing.

Diagnosis

If you have a symptom or a test result that suggests cancer, your doctor may order additional tests or procedures. The Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute at Bridgeport Hospital provides a range of highly advanced detection services for various gynecologic cancers, including

  • Radiology: Ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, PET scan
  • Diagnostic colposcopy and hysteroscopy
  • Cytopathology – The study of disease at the cellular level. The most common use of cytopathology is the Pap test, which is used to detect cervical cancer at an early, treatable stage.

Treatment

The Gynecologic Cancer Tumor Conference

Every patient’s treatment plan is discussed according to The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines by the members of the Gynecologic Cancer Tumor Conference. This multidisciplinary board includes pathologists, surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. The conference meets regularly to review all newly diagnosed patients, and many cases are reviewed several times throughout treatment. This means that you will receive coordinated, state-of-the-art care with the least possible delay.

Of course, your treatment choices depend on several factors—your stage of cancer, any additional health problems, your lifestyle, etc. Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies, using state-of-the-art technology, including:

  • Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery, including robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery for OB/GYN Conditions using the daVinci "S" Surgical System
  • Radiation therapy in our dedicated Radiation Medicine Suite
  • Chemotherapy in our dedicated Chemotherapy Infusion Suite
  • Cryosurgery – The use of liquid nitrogen or a very cold probe to freeze and kill cancer cells
  • Radical trachelectomy – Surgery to remove part of the cervix
  • Clinical trials