Early Detection Key to Beating Gynecological Cancer
A woman can improve her gynecological health and decrease her cancer chances with healthy lifestyle choices, regular Pap tests and routine physical exams. But even that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of developing one of the five types of gynecological cancer.
Cervical, endometrial (uterine) and ovarian cancers are the most common threats, although women are also susceptible to vaginal and vulvar cancers just by being female. In every instance, early diagnosis is vital to successful recovery.
When a woman faces this challenge, she needs a team of physicians working by her side using optimum diagnostic technology to individualize her cancer care and support her with follow-up examinations for prevention of recurrence.
“By taking a multidisciplinary approach to care, our doctors work together to create a holistic picture of a patient’s condition and determine the most appropriate treatment,” says Jeffrey Eshleman, MD, radiation oncologist at Lancaster General Cancer Center.
From diagnosis to recovery, Lancaster General patients receive high quality care, from the skilled doctors and nursing staff to the dieticians who help them overcome toxicity and maintain their weight and strength to accelerate and ensure full recovery.
“A high level of expertise and a comprehensive quality assurance program is available at a large, well-staffed cancer center such as ours,” Dr. Eshleman says.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer – the growth of abnormal cells on the cervix – is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Many women are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
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“It’s a fairly preventable disease with routine Pap test screenings,” says Jacqueline Evans, DO, from Cancer Care for Women. A new vaccine that protects the body from the four strains of the HPV virus is expected to further diminish the disease. Smoking is also believed to be a contributing factor to cervical cancer.
Early stage cervical cancer is often treated with radical surgery and has a very high success rate. While surgery can cure a large number of cervical cancer cases, further treatment is occasionally needed, generally using radiation and chemotherapy. “Chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation improves survival by 30 percent over radiation alone,” she says.
Dr. Eshleman says later stage cervical cancer is treated using radiation and chemotherapy, plus a high dose of brachytherapy – radiation delivered directly to the treatment location.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer – tumors that grow in the ovaries – continues to present a challenge because it does not have early symptoms, and the screening tests currently available have been inadequate.
“Symptoms are subtle and vague; things that aren’t necessarily associated with cancer, like bloating, or getting full quickly during a meal,” Dr. Evans says. She says one in 56 women will develop ovarian cancer.
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by chemotherapy.
Recent medical advances are showing new hope. Dr. Evans says intraperitoneal chemotherapy, where the medicine is injected into the abdomen rather than the blood stream, is extending the survival rate when performed in conjunction with intravenous chemotherapy.
“It is the most cutting-edge therapy in the past 10 years for cancer treatment,” Dr. Evans says. Though still being studied in additional clinical trials, Lancaster General provides this as an option to patients who may benefit from this treatment.
Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer – the abnormal growth of cancerous cells in the uterus lining – affects one in every 45 women. Women who are overweight, have never been pregnant, or have had other forms of cancer are at higher risk.
Abnormal spotting or discharge in menopausal women is the most common early symptom of endometrial cancer. Return of menstrual periods after stopping for a year or more should be investigated by a health care provider.
“Because there are visible signs, 80 percent of people with endometrial cancer are diagnosed at stage one or two, when treatment is most successful,” Dr. Evans says.
Treatment in the early stages includes a hysterectomy and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes, followed by radiation therapy. Later stage treatment also includes chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Quality of Care
Lancaster General is proud to provide quality care to all women with gynecological cancer. Involvement in clinical trials using new biologic and other agents allows patients early access to innovative treatment options.
“Treatment has changed over the past few years, with new radiation techniques improving a patient’s chance of recovery,” Dr. Eshelman says. “In those cases, patients can choose standard treatment, or opt to fight their cancer in unique and different ways.”
While modern treatments improve survival rates, nothing is more effective than early detection. “In all cases, it’s important for women to have regular checkups,” Dr. Evans says. “If something doesn’t seem right, have it investigated by a physician.”
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