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Gynecologic Oncology
★Experts at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)** [see below] recommend that ovarian cancer surgery and staging be done by a gynecologic oncologist (from the NCCN Guidelines for Patients – Ovarian Cancer).
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Check out this list of Colorado Gynecologic Oncologists:
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★★★”The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), is a not-for-profit alliance of 27 of the world’s leading cancer centers... [that] recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers.”
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Gynecologic Oncology
Who is a Gynecologic Oncologist?
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Gynecologic Oncologists are specially trained in surgical methods that ensure an optimal “de-bulking” of ovarian cancer. They spend extra time in surgery clearing as much tumor material as possible. Surgeons in other specialties do not have the same training and may not carry out a complete de-bulking. In addition, gynecologists stay current with the latest chemotherapies being used against ovarian cancer.
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Gynecologic Oncology
According to the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO)
“A gynecologic oncologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers that are located on a woman’s reproductive organs. Gynecologic oncologists have completed obstetrics and gynecology residency and then pursued subspecialty training through a gynecologic oncology fellowship. Residency takes four years to complete, while fellowship involves three to four additional years of intensive training about surgical, chemotherapeutic, radiation, and research techniques that are important to providing the best care for gynecologic cancers. Physicians who complete this training are eligible to take both the obstetrics and gynecology board exam and the gynecologic oncology board exam. The gynecologic oncologist serves as the captain of a woman’s gynecologic cancer care team. It is important to consult with a gynecologic oncologist before treatment is started so that the best treatment regimen is chosen for you.”
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Gynecologic Oncology for Ovarian Cancer
According to the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO)
“Gynecologic oncologists are trained in the comprehensive management of gynecologic cancer. As such, they coordinate care for women with ovarian cancer from diagnosis, to surgery, to chemotherapy, through survivorship and palliative care at the end of life. They serve as captain of the entire cancer care team of medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and genetic counselors, among others.”
https://www.sgo.org/ovarian-cancer/
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Medical Oncology
Some hospitals and healthcare systems provide a gynecologic oncologist for ovarian cancer surgery and a medical oncologist for chemotherapy treatment.
from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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According to the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, a medical oncologist is:
“A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.”
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www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms?cdrid=46290
CGCA may be able to help you pay for a visit to a Gyn Oncologist.
See CGCACares for more information.
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★Standard of Care for Ovarian Cancer - The Issue
from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance
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“In 2013, Dr. Robert Bristow from the University of California, Irvine, published a study showing that only 37.2 percent of patients actually received care that adhered to NCCN clinical practice guidelines. NCCN** [see above] guidelines dictate that women should have their surgery and staging done by a gynecological oncologist, as well as the correct chemotherapy regimen they should undergo. Women who don’t receive standard of care have a 30 percent greater risk of dying within five years of diagnosis than those who do. Typically, women who were treated at large, high-volume hospitals received standard of care, whereas those treated at low-volume hospitals did not. Additional research studies have shown that women from low-income or minority backgrounds typically have poorer survival rates. The results of this study were widely reported in the news, hopefully drawing the attention of physician’s organizations and patients to this serious issue.”
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